Kevin O’Leary, also known as “Mr. Wonderful” on the hit TV show Shark Tank, may seem like an unlikely source of inspiration for startup founders. After all, he is known for his sharp tongue and tough negotiations on the show. However, O’Leary’s success as a startup founder and investor should not be overlooked. He is the co-founder of Softkey Software Products, which was later acquired by Mattel for over $3 billion, and has invested in numerous successful businesses. So what can startup founders learn from Kevin O’Leary?

First and foremost, O’Leary emphasizes the importance of having a clear business strategy and knowing your numbers. As an entrepreneur, it’s easy to get swept up in the novelty and excitement of your idea, but O’Leary reminds us that at the end of the day, a business needs to be profitable. This means carefully tracking your expenses, monitoring your cash flow, and always having a backup plan in case things don’t go as expected. O’Leary is also a strong advocate for branding and marketing your business effectively. He believes that a strong brand image and effective marketing strategy can make or break a company. So take a page from Mr. Wonderful’s playbook and make sure your business is running on a solid foundation of financial and marketing strategies.