Interview number twelve with Kevin Harrington.
Photo: Courtesy Kevin Harrington
Justin Higgins: "Hi Kevin, what life advice do you have for young adults?"
Kevin Harrington: "Hi Justin. I have two pieces of life advice for young adults.
First, if you're going to join an organization, don't just be a member, be a powerful member.
Second, you need to ask yourself, what is your brand? I co-authored a very powerful book called "Key Person of Influence," and branding is discussed as an important element for success in life and business. Whether you're an entrepreneur, an employee, or a job seeker, you can become a Key Person of Influence. There's five steps: pitch, publish, product, profile, and partnership. Branding comes into play with all of the steps.
Branding doesn't necessarily mean that you have to become the next Coca-Cola. Individually, you can start off by branding yourself as a team builder or as a problem solver. If you're a business owner, you can begin by building the brand as a friendly, customer-centric place. Just remember, every day of your life you have the opportunity to position yourself and/or your company. For more tips, check out "Key Person of Influence"!"
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Kevin Harrington has been a successful entrepreneur over the last 40 years. He is an Original Shark on the ABC hit, Emmy winning TV show, “Shark Tank.” He is also the Inventor of the Infomercial, As Seen On TV Pioneer, Co- Founder of the Electronic Retailers Association (ERA) and Co- Founder of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO). Kevin has launched over 20 businesses that have grown to over $100 million in sales each, has been involved in more than a dozen public companies, and has launched over 500 products generating more than $5 billion in sales worldwide with iconic brands and celebrities such as Jack Lalanne, Tony Little, George Foreman, and the new I-Grow hair restoration product on QVC. Kevin has extensive experience in business all over the world, opening distribution outlets in over 100 countries worldwide. His success led Mark Burnett to hand pick Kevin to become an Original Shark on Shark Tank where he filmed over 175 segments.
Kevin currently operates a private consulting firm where he works with companies to increase distribution; analyze electronic retailing opportunities; effectively market on digital, social media, TV, radio, or print; source manufacturing; celebrity relationships; open up his rolodex; and has been able to 10 X the stock price of several public companies. In today’s competitive world, companies cannot operate the way they have in the past because of the advancements in technology and the digital marketplace. Kevin provides the advice and expertise on how to navigate the constant changing distribution and marketing outlets. Kevin also brings his rolodex and relationships to all companies he works with, including help in financing, like he did with Russell Simmons and Celsius: http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/news/2015/04/21/celsius-lands-16m-celebrity-investment.html.
Kevin got his start as a young entrepreneur in the early 80’s when he invested $25,000 and launched Quantum International. This turned in to a $500 million per year business on the New York Stock Exchange and drove the stock price from $1 to $20 per share. After selling his interest in Quantum International, he formed a joint Venture with the Home Shopping Network, called HSN Direct, which grew to hundreds of millions of dollars in sales. Entrepreneur Magazine has called him one of the top Entrepreneurs of our time.
Aside from speaking to audiences across five continents, Kevin’s influence has reached over 100 million people through his multi-media presence and industry dominance. A prominent business thought leader, he is often featured and quoted as a business leaders in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, USA Today, CNBC, Forbes, Inc., Entrepreneur, Fortune, The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS Morning News, The View, Squawk Box, Fox Business, and more. He is a regular contributor to Forbes.com Inc.com, and has published acclaimed books like Act Now! How I Turn Ideas Into Million Dollar Products as well as the best seller, Key Person of Influence.
He is a co founder of the EO (Entrepreneurs Organization), which has grown to 45 countries and thousands of members, generating over $500 Billion of member sales. In 1990 he co founded the global direct to consumer organization and trade show, the Electronic Retailers Association (ERA). Today ERA is the exclusive trade association to represent a global $350-billion direct-to-consumer market place, encompassing 450 different companies in 45 countries.
The true value of Kevin is not only the 40 years of his knowledge of building businesses but also what he can do for other companies in many industries with his global Rolodex and his ability to solve problems.