You know him as the creator of the Rich Dad brand based on his Rich Dad Poor Dad book series. Robert Kiyosaki is also an entrepreneur, an investor, financial commentator and radio personality.
Originally from Hilo, Hawaii, Kiyosaki graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy which is an unpredictable start for an entrepreneur of his caliber.
Being a small business owner or entrepreneur isn’t always marked with success. For Kiyosaki, he endured multiple bankruptcies and a car-dwelling situation before hitting his stride by making a series of smart business ventures and getting into real estate investing. Acquisition of hard assets is a concept that he both practices and preaches. His approach to financial success and business falls a little outside the traditional path, but the result of his success has bred the same lessons for him as any other entrepreneur.
Kiyosaki is a champion of the entrepreneur and he’s liberal with advice: learn to sell, brand, and market. Considering his book series and significant media presence, it’s not hard to find his advice and inspiration for entrepreneurs, but we’ve curated some of the best nuggets here:
“If you are the kind of person who is waiting for the ‘right’ thing to happen, you might wait for a long time. It’s like waiting for all the traffic lights to be green for five miles before starting the trip.”
“Often, in the real world, it’s not the smart who get ahead but the bold.”
“The richest people in the world look for and build networks; everyone else looks for work.”
“When times are bad is when the real entrepreneurs emerge.”
“If you avoid failure, you also avoid success.”
“Critics only make you stronger. You have to look at what they are saying as feedback. Sometimes the feedback helps, and other times, it’s just noise that can be a distraction.”
“The thing most people don’t pick up when they become an entrepreneur is that it never ends. It’s 24/7.”
“You have to look for teachers. If you want to be a mechanic, go hang out with mechanics.”
“I believe that one key to success is to accept truth – no matter how it’s spoken.”
“Quitting is the easiest thing to do.”
“Inside every problem lies an opportunity.”
“Face your fears and doubts, and new worlds will open to you.”
“I wasn’t born a natural entrepreneur. I had to be trained.”
“Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to trust your team. It’s a lesson I’ve had to relearn quite a few times.”
“Success is not a stop sign.”
“Most businesses think that product is the most important thing, but without great leadership, mission and a team that deliver results at a high level, even the best product won’t make a company successful.”
—Robert T. Kiyosaki, Entrepreneur, Author, Investor
FAQs
The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way.
What type of entrepreneur is Robert Kiyosaki? ›
Robert Kiyosaki is one of the most well-known influencers in the financial advice industry. He has built a lengthy and successful career around educating millions of everyday people about the keys to building wealth and living like a “rich” dad.
Is Rich Dad Poor Dad a good book for entrepreneurs? ›
While Robert Kiyosaki's bestseller is recommended reading for starting entrepreneurs, this book does have some flaws. You should read this book just to start thinking differently than the average employee, if not to get motivated. However, take Kiyosaki's advice with a grain of salt.
How did Robert Kiyosaki become successful? ›
Kiyosaki worked in sales for Xerox, where he learned some of the sales and marketing techniques that helped him to become a successful public speaker. After a few years at Xerox, Kiyosaki started a company called Rippers, which sold nylon and Velcro surfer-style wallets.
What did Robert Kiyosaki say? ›
People who avoid failure also avoid success. You're only poor if you give up. The most important thing is that you did something. Most people only talk and dream of getting rich.
What does Rich Dad Poor Dad say are assets? ›
He defines them as: Assets are things that bring in money, such as real estate, stocks, and businesses. Liabilities, on the other hand, drain money from your pocket. These include home or car loans, credit card debt, and more.
What is Rule #1 in Rich Dad Poor Dad? ›
Hence, the question has been solved in detailed explanation manner. 1) What is rule #1? Rule #1 is "Don't work for money." Rich Dad explains that the rich don't work for money, they make money work for them. This means investing in assets that generate income, such as rental properties, businesses, and stocks.
Is Rich Dad Poor Dad really rich? ›
The existence of Kiyosaki's "Rich Dad" remains unproven, and there is no documentation on Kiyosaki's alleged vast reserves of wealth earned before Rich Dad Poor Dad was published.
What is Rich Dad Poor Dad advice? ›
Live Below Your Means and Save Money
"Rich Dad, Poor Dad" explains the importance of living below your means, saving money, and using this money to invest in assets that bring financial returns and income.
What assets does Robert Kiyosaki recommend? ›
Kiyosaki prefers hard assets like silver over financial ones like the U.S. dollar for several reasons. He thinks it makes no sense that people cling to cash because it constantly loses value — not in the currency markets but due to inflation and rising deficits.
Kiyosaki married his wife Kimberly "Kim" Kiyosaki (née Meyer) in 1986.
What does Robert Kiyosaki invest his money in? ›
Robert Kiyosaki, known for his investing advice and his “Rich Dad Poor Dad” series of personal finance books, has taken to social media again to alert investors about what he thinks they should be doing: investing in gold, silver and bitcoin.
What is the money quote from Rich Dad Poor Dad? ›
“The philosophy of the rich and the poor is this: the rich invest their money and spend what is left. The poor spend their money and invest what is left.” “Financial struggle is often the result of people working all their lives for someone else.”
What is the famous saying of Jack Ma? ›
Never give up. Today is hard, tomorrow will be worse, but the day after tomorrow will be sunshine. You should learn from your competitor, but never copy.
What did Robert Kiyosaki say about financial literacy? ›
Robert Kiyosaki, the founder of the “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” empire, says that there are six basic words that are key to financial literacy and education: income, expense, asset, liability and cash flow. The last “key” is a combination of two words, making six total terms that Kiyosaki finds essential.
What is the quote about intelligence and money? ›
If money is smarter than you, you will work for it all your life. To be the master of money, you need to be smarter than it. Then money will do as it is told. It will obey you.