Barbara Corcoran 5 ‘Truths About Success’ That Could Make You Rich
Written by
Laura Bogart
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
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If anyone knows how to become successful — especially from humble beginnings — it’s Barbara Corcoran. She went from childhood poverty to becoming an innovator in real estate, as well as an investor, entrepreneur and TV personality through “Shark Tank.” It took a lot of grit, savvy and a willingness to learn from adversity, but she’s happy to share her story and insights with anyone who wants to listen.
In a reel posted to her Instagram, Corcoran offered a list of truths about success that nobody tells you. Culled from her own life and experiences, this list offers powerful advice about how to achieve your goals — including building real wealth.
It’s Lonely at the Start
When you’re driven to succeed, you’ll quickly see who is truly in your corner and who might be intimidated by your passion. Corcoran discovered this the hard way when her first husband and business partner in the real estate company Corcoran-Simone left her for her secretary. His parting words were especially cruel: “You’ll never succeed without me.”
Corcoran turned her heartbreak and loneliness into action, going on to start the Corcoran Group, which she eventually sold for $66 million. So, who ended up being successful without whom?
People Will Doubt You … and Then Ask How You Did It
Corcoran is no stranger to enduring other people’s skepticism — from her former partner to dismissive men in the business world. Even the big break that brought her into homes across the country — her debut on “Shark Tank” — was once in jeopardy after producers decided to replace her with another woman investor before she’d even started taping.
Instead of wallowing in humiliation and fury, Corcoran decided to challenge the producers’ doubts head-on. She sent a brief yet assertive email telling them they’d made a mistake and offered to compete with the other candidate for the role.
Clearly, Corcoran won. The lesson? “No” may be a complete sentence, but when it comes to pursuing the right opportunity to make more money, it doesn’t have to be the final answer.
It Takes Longer Than You Think
Patience is a virtue. It’s also essential to becoming successful and earning money, as Corcoran knows from experience. She started working when she was 11 years old to help support her family, holding 22 jobs before she found her passion in real estate.
On the “Erika Taught Me” podcast, she told host Erika Kullberg that while none of these jobs specifically helped her find her purpose, she gained life and work skills that served her well when she started her own business.
If you don’t find the perfect high-paying job or opportunity right away, don’t give up. You’re still learning and growing — which can help you develop a success-oriented mindset.
It Feels Impossible Before It Works
Do you struggle with impostor syndrome? If your fear that you don’t deserve to be successful or wealthy is holding you back, you should listen to Barbara Corcoran. She’s dealt with impostor syndrome herself — and channeled it to her advantage.
In a brief TikTok, she explained how it worked for her — and how it can work for you:
“If you’re struggling with impostor syndrome, good for you. Thank the Lord in heaven that you have impostor syndrome,” she said. “Why? Because worrying that you’re a fraud guarantees you’re going to try harder than the next guy, and it’s in the trying that you find your confidence.”
In case that didn’t persuade you that even doubt can be motivating, remember Corcoran’s final words in that video:
“My success is entirely due to my insecurity.”
And When It Does, You’ll Wonder Why You Ever Doubted Yourself
Barbara Corcoran has overcome more than her fair share of adversity — and come out on top. Why? Because she replaces self-doubt with a willingness to try her hardest, every time.
She’s famously said that she’ll “out-try everyone in the universe … and I’ll win because of it.” If you take away nothing else from Corcoran’s insights, it’s that trying is essential to succeeding — in business and in life.
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