Barbara Corcoran Reveals the Job She Would Do If She Lost Her Fortune, Amazes Us With Her Choice
Real estate mogul and Shark Tank star Barbara Corcoran is worth $80 million.
What would she do if she lost everything and had to start her career from scratch? Work as a waitress, according to a CNBC interview.
"You learn more in waitressing than you can in any other job, and I had every kind of menial job you can imagine," Corcoran, who had 22 different jobs before she turned 23, told CNBC journalist Faroosh Torabi.
"Being a server is the best way to learn about sales," she said. "It's your charm, it's the ability to have a conversation and get the coffee right away so they don't have to ask for it. It's knowing what they ordered last time."
Her surprising answer teaches us two very important lessons about life and growth:
1. Your skills are your most valuable asset
Corcoran built her fortune from the ground up, from working as a secretary in a real estate company in her early 20s to borrowing $1,000 from an ex to start her own real estate firm in Manhattan.
She became rich when she sold her company for $66 million in 2001, and she negotiated hard for it -- the initial offer was only $22 million.
So when asked what she would do if she had to start over, she could have said that she would work in the real estate industry again. It is, after all, what led her to success.
But by choosing waitressing as her plan B, Corcoran shows that she values learning before anything else. She knows that even if she found herself with literally zero money to her name, she would be able to rely on a priceless commodity: her acquired skills.
Remember the "teach a man how to fish" saying? It pretty much sums this up.
2. You're never too good for a task or a job
We all have to start from somewhere, and having the right attitude is what helps propel us forward. The truth is, you're not special, I'm not special, all of us have dreams and fears and needs and wants.
Perceiving any task as something beneath you is a disservice to yourself. There is value in every life experience and if you can recognize that, you'll get a lot more out of the opportunities that are presented to you -- and you'll also be able to notice opportunities where others see challenges.
Also, Corcoran's reasoning shows that being humble shouldn't stop once you "make it." In fact, studies have shown that humility offers a competitive advantage in business.
Think about it: Who do you look up to? And who do you want to be as a person?
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.