Latest news with #MicroSolutions
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mark Cuban's Secret To Launching Successful Business: 'It Doesn't Matter How Many Times You Fail, You Only Have To Be Right One Time'
Billionaire investor Mark Cuban shared his wisdom on starting a thriving business without any initial capital, drawing from his own early entrepreneurial journey. What Happened: Cuban has shared his initial business venture prior to his triumph with MicroSolutions. At the age of 24, he tried to market powdered milk, a venture that lasted a mere 30 days due to consumer disinterest. Despite the setback, Cuban gleaned a crucial lesson about perseverance in the business world. 'It doesn't matter how many times you fail. You only have to be right one time. Just one time,' he shared with Emma Grede on her 'Aspire' podcast. "I remember taking samples to people, mixing it up like, 'Look, milk's expensive. We're broke, right? This will save you money. And just seeing the look on their face. point taken," he said. Subsequently, he launched MicroSolutions, which he sold for $6 million at the age of 32. His next venture, was sold for a whopping $6 billion. As per Forbes, Cuban's estimated net worth today stands at $6 billion. Also Read: Mark Cuban Says His Children Struggle With the Downsides of His Wealth: 'Not That They Want To Be Poor, But It Sets An Expectation' Talking about how to start the business if one doesn't have the money, Cuban said, 'First, you've got to find the right product or service. If you don't have any money, most likely [your business] is going to be a service." 'Think of something you do well, and a need that other people have, and combine the two. This could include tutoring, freelance writing or graphic design, dog walking or social media management, for example,' Cuban added during the podcast. Why It Matters: Cuban's advice for budding entrepreneurs without capital is to exploit sweat equity. He recommends identifying a service that aligns with one's abilities and market demands. He also underscored the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), asserting that if he were to start a business today without any money, his focus would be on AI. This insight is particularly relevant in today's rapidly evolving technology landscape, where AI is increasingly becoming a cornerstone of innovation. Cuban's emphasis on persistence and adaptability, coupled with his endorsement of AI, provides a valuable roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating the complex world of business. Read Next Mark Cuban Reveals What He'd Do As A Gen Zer to Get Ahead—Even While Sleeping: 'If I Was 16, 18, 20, 21 Starting Today, I Would Spend Every Waking Minute Learning It' Shutterstock: Kathy Hutchins UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Mark Cuban's Secret To Launching Successful Business: 'It Doesn't Matter How Many Times You Fail, You Only Have To Be Right One Time' originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Mark Cuban's Secret To Launching Successful Business: 'It Doesn't Matter How Many Times You Fail, You Only Have To Be Right One Time'
Billionaire investor Mark Cuban shared his wisdom on starting a thriving business without any initial capital, drawing from his own early entrepreneurial journey. What Happened: Cuban has shared his initial business venture prior to his triumph with MicroSolutions. At the age of 24, he tried to market powdered milk, a venture that lasted a mere 30 days due to consumer disinterest. Despite the setback, Cuban gleaned a crucial lesson about perseverance in the business world. 'It doesn't matter how many times you fail. You only have to be right one time. Just one time,' he shared with Emma Grede on her 'Aspire' podcast. "I remember taking samples to people, mixing it up like, 'Look, milk's expensive. We're broke, right? This will save you money. And just seeing the look on their face. point taken," he said. Subsequently, he launched MicroSolutions, which he sold for $6 million at the age of 32. His next venture, was sold for a whopping $6 billion. As per Forbes, Cuban's estimated net worth today stands at $6 billion. Also Read: Mark Cuban Says His Children Struggle With the Downsides of His Wealth: 'Not That They Want To Be Poor, But It Sets An Expectation' Talking about how to start the business if one doesn't have the money, Cuban said, 'First, you've got to find the right product or service. If you don't have any money, most likely [your business] is going to be a service." 'Think of something you do well, and a need that other people have, and combine the two. This could include tutoring, freelance writing or graphic design, dog walking or social media management, for example,' Cuban added during the podcast. Why It Matters: Cuban's advice for budding entrepreneurs without capital is to exploit sweat equity. He recommends identifying a service that aligns with one's abilities and market demands. He also underscored the potential of artificial intelligence (AI), asserting that if he were to start a business today without any money, his focus would be on AI. This insight is particularly relevant in today's rapidly evolving technology landscape, where AI is increasingly becoming a cornerstone of innovation. Cuban's emphasis on persistence and adaptability, coupled with his endorsement of AI, provides a valuable roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs navigating the complex world of business. Read Next Mark Cuban Reveals What He'd Do As A Gen Zer to Get Ahead—Even While Sleeping: 'If I Was 16, 18, 20, 21 Starting Today, I Would Spend Every Waking Minute Learning It' Shutterstock: Kathy Hutchins UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? APPLE (AAPL): Free Stock Analysis Report TESLA (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report This article Mark Cuban's Secret To Launching Successful Business: 'It Doesn't Matter How Many Times You Fail, You Only Have To Be Right One Time' originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Economic Times
28-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
He was 24 with just $20: Mark Cuban's first business venture failed in 30 days, but the lesson he learned is priceless
Agencies Mark Cuban's initial entrepreneurial attempt involved selling powdered milk, which failed within a month, teaching him valuable lessons about business. Long before Mark Cuban became a billionaire entrepreneur, NBA team owner, and household name on Shark Tank, he was just a broke 24-year-old college grad with a hustle — and a handful of powdered milk packets. In a recent episode of the 'Aspire' podcast hosted by Emma Grede, Cuban revealed how his very first business venture — selling powdered milk — failed spectacularly in just 30 days. Armed with under $20 and unshakable optimism, Cuban believed his budget milk substitute could revolutionize frugal kitchens. 'I remember taking samples to people, mixing it up, like, 'Look, milk's expensive. We're broke, right? This will save you money,'' he said on the show. The response? Indifference at best, revulsion at worst. That sting of rejection might have ended the story for most — but for Cuban, it was just the first step. The powdered milk venture was Cuban's crash course in entrepreneurship. 'It did not sell,' he admitted plainly. But that 30-day loss proved to be a long-term gain. 'It doesn't matter how many times you fail. You only have to be right one time,' he reflected. And he was. Shortly after, Cuban launched MicroSolutions, a software reseller company. With no outside funding and no time off ('I didn't take a vacation for the next seven years,' he told The Playbook by Entrepreneur), Cuban hustled his way into profitability. By 1990, he sold MicroSolutions to CompuServe for $6 million. Nine years later, he made internet history by selling to Yahoo for $6 billion. Cuban's early struggles were far from glamorous. He was fired from a computer store, lived with six roommates in a cramped apartment, and often slept on the floor. But instead of retreating, he went all in — and stayed all in. 'There is no balance,' Cuban once told Sports Illustrated. 'If you want to crush the game, whatever game you're in, there's somebody working 24 hours a day to kick your a*s.'. What if you're starting with nothing today? Cuban says the answer lies not in bank accounts, but in sweat equity. If he had to build from scratch in 2025, he'd lean into artificial intelligence — and not by spending, but by learning. 'I'd be all about AI,' he said. 'If I had access to a library and $0, I'd be in there till they kicked me out.' He suggests learning to prompt AI tools effectively, then offering services to small businesses to improve efficiency. In other words: find a skill, sharpen it for free, and sell it. Despite his massive fortune (estimated at $6 billion, per Forbes), Cuban's proudest achievement might just be the control he now exercises over his own time. At SXSW 2024, he shared a telling anecdote — after making his first million, he threw away his watch. 'I didn't want to respond to anyone else,' he said. 'I wanted to own my time.'
Time of India
28-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
He was 24 with just $20: Mark Cuban's first business venture failed in 30 days, but the lesson he learned is priceless
Long before Mark Cuban became a billionaire entrepreneur, NBA team owner, and household name on Shark Tank , he was just a broke 24-year-old college grad with a hustle — and a handful of powdered milk packets. In a recent episode of the 'Aspire' podcast hosted by Emma Grede, Cuban revealed how his very first business venture — selling powdered milk — failed spectacularly in just 30 days. Armed with under $20 and unshakable optimism, Cuban believed his budget milk substitute could revolutionize frugal kitchens. 'I remember taking samples to people, mixing it up, like, 'Look, milk's expensive. We're broke, right? This will save you money,'' he said on the show. The response? Indifference at best, revulsion at worst. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Others Finance Design Thinking others Cybersecurity Degree PGDM Leadership Management Data Science Digital Marketing CXO Product Management Technology Artificial Intelligence Public Policy healthcare Data Science Data Analytics Project Management MBA Operations Management Skills you'll gain: Duration: 7 Months S P Jain Institute of Management and Research CERT-SPJIMR Exec Cert Prog in AI for Biz India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 16 Weeks Indian School of Business CERT-ISB Transforming HR with Analytics & AI India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 9 months IIM Lucknow SEPO - IIML CHRO India Starts on undefined Get Details Skills you'll gain: Duration: 28 Weeks MICA CERT-MICA SBMPR Async India Starts on undefined Get Details That sting of rejection might have ended the story for most — but for Cuban, it was just the first step. What Failing Taught Him The powdered milk venture was Cuban's crash course in entrepreneurship . 'It did not sell,' he admitted plainly. But that 30-day loss proved to be a long-term gain. 'It doesn't matter how many times you fail. You only have to be right one time,' he reflected. And he was. Shortly after, Cuban launched MicroSolutions, a software reseller company. With no outside funding and no time off ('I didn't take a vacation for the next seven years,' he told The Playbook by Entrepreneur), Cuban hustled his way into profitability. By 1990, he sold MicroSolutions to CompuServe for $6 million. Nine years later, he made internet history by selling to Yahoo for $6 billion. You Might Also Like: Mark Cuban confesses to using 'AI for everything', but warns of one big limitation From Sleeping on Floors to Owning the Dallas Mavericks Cuban's early struggles were far from glamorous. He was fired from a computer store, lived with six roommates in a cramped apartment, and often slept on the floor. But instead of retreating, he went all in — and stayed all in. 'There is no balance,' Cuban once told Sports Illustrated. 'If you want to crush the game, whatever game you're in, there's somebody working 24 hours a day to kick your a*s.'. Sweat Equity Over Start-Up Capital What if you're starting with nothing today? Cuban says the answer lies not in bank accounts, but in sweat equity. If he had to build from scratch in 2025, he'd lean into artificial intelligence — and not by spending, but by learning. 'I'd be all about AI,' he said. 'If I had access to a library and $0, I'd be in there till they kicked me out.' He suggests learning to prompt AI tools effectively, then offering services to small businesses to improve efficiency. In other words: find a skill, sharpen it for free, and sell it. You Might Also Like: Mark Cuban's resurfaced wish about AI is a wake-up call for Gen Z: 'If I were 16 or 18 today...' Despite his massive fortune (estimated at $6 billion, per Forbes), Cuban's proudest achievement might just be the control he now exercises over his own time. At SXSW 2024, he shared a telling anecdote — after making his first million, he threw away his watch. 'I didn't want to respond to anyone else,' he said. 'I wanted to own my time.'
Economic Times
07-07-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
Mark Cuban's resurfaced wish about AI is a wake-up call for Gen Z: 'If I were 16 or 18 today...'
Getty Images Mark Cuban believes that if he were starting over, he'd dedicate every waking minute to AI. Speaking at SXSW, he stressed that AI can unlock endless opportunities for entrepreneurs, from launching startups to boosting productivity for others. At a time when the internet is flooded with advice on side hustles, passive income, and 'making it big,' billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban offers a sobering—and inspiring—alternative. If he were 21 and starting over, he wouldn't be gambling on crypto or selling oddball inventions. He'd be doing one thing: obsessively learning artificial intelligence. In a resurfaced video from his South by Southwest (SXSW) talk, the Dallas Mavericks' former majority owner and famed Shark Tank investor laid out what he believes is the single most valuable skill of our time. 'If I were 16, 18, 20, or 21 starting today, I would spend every waking minute learning about AI,' he said to a packed crowd. 'Even while I'm sleeping, I would have podcasts playing about AI.' Cuban, who famously turned his early ventures like MicroSolutions and into multimillion-dollar successes, admits his journey began with many stumbles—including trying to sell powdered milk. But unlike those ventures, which required risky bets and long hours, AI, he believes, is a game-changer that anyone can learn and use with little upfront capital. 'This isn't about building the next Google,' Cuban emphasized. 'Just understanding how to use AI can create real value.' His advice to beginners? Start with simple AI tools like NotebookLM and approach small businesses. 'Charge $25 an hour to show them how to boost productivity and cut costs,' he said, outlining a direct, scalable business model that turns knowledge into immediate income. Despite his bullish stance on AI, Cuban is careful to strike a note of realism. Artificial intelligence alone won't make anyone rich or successful—it's a tool, not a shortcut. 'AI is never the answer,' he said. 'AI is a tool. Whatever skills you have, you can use AI to amplify them.' This, he argues, is where many go wrong—believing that simply learning AI will make them indispensable. But Cuban insists the true differentiator still lies in human traits like curiosity, persistence, and hustle. 'Your mind is just going to go nuts,' he said, encouraging young entrepreneurs to dive in and explore the limitless possibilities AI presents—from startups to consulting gigs. Mark Cuban's life is a masterclass in pivoting, adapting, and always staying curious. From working as a bartender and getting fired from his first tech job in Dallas, to building and selling MicroSolutions for $6 million and later selling to Yahoo! for $5.7 billion, Cuban's success story has been anything but conventional. As of May 2025, Forbes estimates his net worth at $5.7 billion. Cuban's message is clear: this era's greatest currency isn't capital or connections—it's knowledge. Whether you're a student, a job-hopper, or a frustrated corporate employee, Cuban's advice hits like a lightning bolt: 'If you're just getting started today… you will find a million different ways you can leverage this.'
