Tweet

Curiosity

Written by: Donald J. Trump

Article Overview: One thing I’ve learned over the years is that curiosity is a good way to stay stimulated and informed as well as young. Ever notice that children are curious about everything? That’s how they learn and the same thing should apply to adults.

Curiosity

One thing I've learned over the years is that curiosity is a good way to stay stimulated and informed as well as young. Ever notice that children are curious about everything? That's how they learn and the same thing should apply to adults. People have often commented that I ask a lot of questions, which is true, and it's one way I've learned a lot. I can remember when I was deciding on what type of bathroom sink to install in a new property, so I kept three samples on a sofa in my front offices. I would ask everyone who came in which sink they liked best--and why--and I did the same when deciding what kind of chair to choose for a new ballroom I was building. I was genuinely interested in their comments, and while the final decision was mine, I had a lot of perspectives to consider and felt I could make a very informed decision. People were surprised I took such an interest in their opinions--as well as seeing sinks and chairs lined up in my offices--but details matter to me and their opinions mattered as well.

Curiosity also provides a starting point for discovery. It's a bit like research--once you find something of interest, the natural inclination is to learn more about it. Sometimes it may not have anything to do with your current endeavor, but it can broaden your understanding. I don't believe any knowledge is wasted. My interests are diverse largely because I'm curious, which has certainly helped me as a businessman.

Before I attended Wharton, I had considered studying film at USC. The entertainment business had interested me so I knew something about it, and continued to watch it as an industry. Little did I know that years later I would have a hit television show--but when that happened, I had some background to rely on. My early curiosity paid off. I had a great deal to learn, but this is one reason I emphasize the importance of learning everything you can along the way. You never know when it will be useful. As Albert Einstein stated: The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.

Related Articles
  Need More Innovation? Foster a Culture of Curiosity
  Enrich Your Time! Discover The Joys of Curiosity
  Adopt an Emotion: CURIOSITY
  We Live in a Headline World; Will Yours Do its Job?
  How to Grow Your Business Presentation Skills - Fast!

Article Tags: adults, albert einstein, bathroom sink, businessman, chairs, curiosity, discovery, endeavor, entertainment business, final decision, natural inclination, perspectives, sinks, sofa, television show, wharton



Related Forum Posts
Jennifer Barney: Barney Butter - Despite the well-known health benefits of almond butter such as vitamin E, fiber, protein, phosphorous, no partially hydrogenated oils and more magnesium than spinach, many people either don’t like almond butter’s taste, don’t like its grainy texture or think it’s a facial scrub. But Jennifer Barney is determined to change all that. It was only a few years ago that, armed with a blender and bags of blanched almonds, Jennifer started whipping up addictively delicious batches of almond butter for her kids. Several burned out appliances later she succeeded in creating the familiar taste, texture and consistency of jelly’s better half, peanut butter. While the kids clamored for more, neighbors knew Jennifer could sell it. She started a business, supplying almond ambrosia to stores across California. After partnering with an investor she recently moved into her own peanut-free manufacturing plant complete with custom-built equipment, making Barney Butter the only almond butter safe for those with peanut allergies. Barney Butter is already well-known in California, Oregon, Florida, Arizona, Washington and Nevada. By January it will line the shelves of every Fresh Market across the country, heading toward household name fame along with Jif and Skippy. This kind of success is hardly a surprise because as anyone with a peanut butter palate will tell you, Barney Butter is pure almond joy. What we learned from Jennifer: Be a dreamer, but be realistic. Set time and financial limits. Once you’ve used them up accept that something isn’t working and you need to go in another direction. It may end up being the best decision you’ve ever made. I can’t believe it’s not peanut butter When my kids were teething they wanted “real” food. I searched for almond butter but could only find coarsely ground almonds, not anything smooth that they would eat. I thought, “With a little sweetener and salt I can make great-tasting, smooth almond butter!” It wasn’t the entrepreneur in me talking. It was a mom thing. I just wanted to make almond butter that looked and felt like peanut butter for my kids. The Juiceman Cometh I broke blender after blender until I finally invested in a heavy duty machine. The one that worked best was The Juiceman I found on eBay. I burned through at least four of those but my kids loved my almond butter! I didn’t tell people what I was doing because really, somebody might have locked me up. Spread the word - spreadable almonds! Eventually I started giving my almond butter to friends. It was a hit and everyone encouraged me to start a business. At the time I only had experience in birthing children. That’s it. I had no experience in business, manufacturing or food science. But I did know that starting a business was risky. My husband and I invested a small amount of our savings that we would be ok with never seeing again. Separation anxiety I knew my almond butter would separate while sitting on store shelves so I investigated the peanut butter industry’s methods for avoiding that. You would be amazed what you can find online. I found a University of Georgia professor who had written a research paper in 1996 about the application of palm oil to peanut butter for stabilization. I called him. He explained everything I needed to know. I’m sure he had no idea he was talking to a crazy blender-breaking housewife. The taste of success By law I had to hire a contract manufacturer to make and pack my product. But to save money I had my friend’s dad design my logo. Then I made labels on sticky paper, cut them out and stuck them on the jars myself. The friendliest mom and pop stores were happy to stock my almond butter because I was local. I did lots of store tasting events to make sure my product sold. Foot-loose and peanut free Eventually we out grew our co-packer. We needed a bigger space but couldn’t afford to invest one more cent in the business. I went looking for an investor and through one of my suppliers found not only an investor but a partner. At that point I could afford to expand and I now have my own peanut-free plant and state-of-the-art equipment. Almond butter and jelly We’re working on going national. Peanut butter is such a staple, but almond butter is healthier and is perfect for people with peanut allergies. I think that this is something people will love. It’s exactly like peanut butter but made only from almonds. Curiosity is key I’m sure at Ladies Who Launch you see this all the time in entrepreneurs but when I was developing my product I didn’t see it as work. I really enjoyed what I was doing and I was driven by curiosity. It became something of an obsession. I was determined to get it right. This Featured Lady was profiled by Ladies Who Launch Associate Editor Susie Lacey.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

What Aweber Can Do For Your Online Business

The Importance of Master Data Management (MDM)

How Many Buckets Do You Need for Retirement?

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.