Jeff Bezos Reveals the Most Important Skill You Need for Success - and How His Family Inspires Him to Be an Entrepreneur
We all have great days. Maybe we get a raise. Maybe it's our kid's birthday. For Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO of Amazon, a great day can entail making over $12 billion overnight.
But Bezos didn't just wake up one day owning Amazon, space company Blue Origin and The Washington Post with a total net worth of $134 billion. It took decades of perseverance through crises and bobbing his way through technological changes to get to this point. It also took a little help from his family.
Business Insiderjust released a fascinating interview with Bezos, in which he talks about the skills that helped him reach success and the positive impact his family has had on his career.
From packing up books on the floor in the mid-1990s at the start of Amazon to aiming to launch humans into space with Blue Origin by 2020, Bezos said the main thing that's helped him do it all has been resourcefulness.
"Being resourceful. If there's a problem, there's a solution," he said.
Finding motivation through family
He first learned this lesson while working on a ranch in Texas with his grandfather. Bezos' grandfather as well as the love and support from his family, including his wife Mackenzie, have been extremely influential on his career.
"Look, we all get gifts, we get certain things in our life that we're very lucky about," he said. "And one of the most powerful ones is who your early role models are."
He added: "When you have loving and supportive people in your life, like MacKenzie, my parents, my grandfather, my grandmother, you end up being able to take risks."
While love from your family is unconditional, it helps if you spend some time with them. This is what's often referred to as work-life balance. Bezos doesn't like that term. He goes on trips with his siblings (thanks to his mom who takes care of the kids) and just went on an amazing trip to Norway for a few days with his wife and family. For Bezos, work-life balance is more of a work-life circle.
"[...] The reality is, if I am happy at home, I come into the office with tremendous energy. And if I am happy at work, I come home with tremendous energy. It actually is a circle. It's not a balance."
Handling risks and criticism
If you're an entrepreneur or a business owner, Bezos' advice is to not be scared of your competitors. Instead, be scared of your customers.
"Look, you know, it's okay to be afraid, but don't be afraid of our competitors, because they're never going to send us any money. Be afraid of our customers. And if we just stay focused on them, instead of obsessing over this big competitor that we just got, we'll be fine."
From criticism about privacy to accusations that he's created a monopoly, Bezos says he invites criticism -- it's part of the game. But at the end of the day, all the risks are worth it.
"Life is full of different risks. And I think that, when you think about the things that you will regret when you're 80, they're almost always the things that you did not do."
Woman holding her child's clothing.Marla Branyan / @marla_branyan
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.