The Trip Hawkins (EA Sports) Story – Modeling The Masters

I’m pleased to announce our latest famous entrepreneur profile of Trip Hawkins, the founder of EA Sports. You can read the complete story here: http://www.evancarmichael.com/Famous-Entrepreneurs/5088/summary.php

“When I first saw a computer, I knew, this was the answer for me,” says Hawkins. “I was going to be able to make real life in a box and expose the kind of games I wanted to play to the public.”He knew what he wanted to do early on in life, and he took all the necessary steps to get there. From working and learning from others, to trying his hand at three different companies, Hawkins has made a name for himself in all of the video game, console, and mobile industries. How did a young boy who just wanted to play games go on to become a millionaire?

“If you’re going to be a successful entrepreneur, you’re going to have to be somebody who can tolerate a high rate of change, you have to be willing to put a lot more hours into it, you have to tolerate the fact that you’re going to make more mistakes and have a culture that responds to that.”

Persistence: “If you’re going to be a successful entrepreneur, you’re going to have to be somebody who can tolerate a high rate of change, you have to be willing to put a lot more hours into it, you have to tolerate the fact that you’re going to make more mistakes and have a culture that responds to that.” Hawkins still could have retired comfortable after having his second company go bankrupt, but he opted to try again. In the end, his persistence took him on to even greater things.

Risk-taking: “When I was young, I was completely fearless, and sometimes you have success because of that, sometimes you make horrible mistakes because of that.” Hawkins might have taken risks that resulted in failures, but it was in fact his greatest risks that led to his greatest successes.

Passion: “It’s not like business for me is a hobby that I’m especially passionate about. I have a lot of skills and experience at it, but I’m really there more for the art of what I’m doing,” says Hawkins. “I’m a total game addict, and of course I play games in all kinds of different forms. And obviously the mobile phone just happens to be the most convenient way to play today.” Hawkins took his childhood passion and turned it into a global business, which explains much of the success he has achieved to date.

Understanding: Hawkins knew that expanding into new markets meant having to understand those markets’ particular mobile development trajectory, and adapting to it. Even where he knew he might have taken a misstep, he also had the wherewithal to correct himself and move forward.

Cutting-edge: Hawkins refuses to take his businesses anywhere other than the cutting edge of development. In paying attention to trends, Hawkins is positioning himself as a global leader in the future.

“It’s a real thrill to just create something new that nobody’s ever thought of or heard of or didn’t know they needed.”

“Mobile is like the Internet was at the 9600 baud dialup stage,” says Hawkins. “In theory it’s all there, but it is a rare day when you can get everything to work the way you would like. But the infrastructure is good enough now and it is steadily improving, and we know what great things we have to look forward to…And it’s a real thrill to just create something new that nobody’s ever thought of or heard of or didn’t know they needed.”

You can read the complete story here: http://www.evancarmichael.com/Famous-Entrepreneurs/5088/summary.php

What do you think of Trip Hawkin’s story? Are there any other famous entrepreneurs you would like to see profiled?

I’ve love to hear your thoughts if you leave a comment below!