Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company
“Most people think success is something you acquire. But in reality, success is something you give.”
“Employers don’t pay wages. Employers just handle money. Customers pay wages.”
“It takes time for effort to show results. Many people get bored, lost, and discouraged before then.”
Ichizo Kobayashi, founder of Hankyu Group
“Young people, be independent. Don’t aspire to be big companies. There are plenty of businesses. There are jobs everywhere.”
“To win in life, above all you need is a winning mindset. If others work eight hours, you need the determination to work fifteen hours. If others are eating good food, you need the courage to refrain from eating good food yourself.”
Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
“Success is the ability to keep going even after repeated failures.”
“We make a living by getting, and we make a living by giving.”
“Success is neither the end nor the end. The important thing is the courage to keep going.”
“Never give in. Never, never, never!”
“It is not strength or intelligence, but steady effort that unlocks your potential.”
Suntory Founder: Shinjiro Torii
“I’ve been struggling with alcohol for over 60 years. No matter how stupid you are, after 60 years you’ll understand things. And money is a little bit much.”
McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc
“There is nothing more valuable in this world than persistence. Talent is different. There are many talented people who fail. Genius is different. There are so many underprivileged geniuses in this world that it has become a proverb. Education is also different. The world is full of educated dropouts. Only faith and persistence are omnipotent.”
“Be daring，Be first，Be different”
“People think I was an overnight success, but that overnight was 30 years. It’s been a long, long night.”
“You cannot find happiness by walking across a rope placed on the floor”
CoCo Ichibanya Founder: Tokuji Munetsugu
“I will continue to work diligently. I want to grow and develop this business that I started with a strong sense of ambition, so I will work harder than anyone else, cherishing the customers in front of me and feeling grateful. It is through this that I will find clues for tomorrow.”
“Don’t look away, devote yourself to management”
“CoCo Ichibanya’s system has been meticulously developed through repeated trial and error, so it’s no good just imitating the surface.”
“When I was still working, I had no hobbies and no friends. I never went to a bar. I never did anything that would get in the way of my work. There were times when I worked 5,640 hours a year. I thought that if I didn’t lead by example, my subordinates wouldn’t work.”
“Customer first, hands-on approach”
“Nothing works out the first time, so don’t give up and keep trying. Business is a daily accumulation of work, and it requires gratitude. Work 5,640 hours a year (15.5 hours a day, 365 days a year).”
“I get up at 5am every morning and am the first one to arrive at the office. I read through postcards in which customers have written their opinions and complaints. When I go on business trips, I visit restaurants that are open late at night. I can’t help but worry about the small details that the manager doesn’t seem to care about. Running a restaurant is a matter of accumulating small details. Is it 60 points or 70 points? That difference makes a difference in the quality of the restaurant. It was my role to nitpick at the smallest details.”
“Managers should not think they have any abilities. If they decide they don’t have much ability, they can work hard to do something about it.”
Seven-Eleven founder: Toshifumi Suzuki
“Like a stone wall, we have built a solid foundation, which is why we are able to launch products that are both high quality and convenient, and create new demand.”
“Selling on a budget is the strategy with the highest probability of failure.”
“If you neglect the basics and try to buy things cheaply by purchasing in bulk and then sell them at low prices, I don’t think you’ll be able to win the competition.”
Nike Founder Phil Knight
“If you want to open a restaurant but aren’t prepared to work 23 hours a day in the kitchen, don’t do it.”
“I dedicate myself to the shoe business and never think or talk about anything other than shoes.”
“Even if everyone laughs at your idea, just keep going until you get there.”
Choya Plum Wine by Kondo Sumitaro
“If you succeed with plum wine, be happy, but if you don’t, give up on life.”
“Give up on life positively”
When asked if he would end up out on the streets if he failed, he replied, “All I can do is try my best now. If I think about that, I won’t be able to do anything.”
