When I spoke with David Lerner a few days ago, I realized he had so much valuable advice to offer I decided it was worthy of its own blog. Below, Lerner divulges in an interview exclusively to The Campus Socialite the keys to his success – and what you can do to ensure a successful future for yourself.
-Lindsay Silberman
CS: What advice can you offer to our campus socialites about getting ahead in a cutthroat business world?
DL: I mentor a lot of people, and what I help them with is the business side of fashion. It’s tough; the worse the economy gets, the more cutthroat it gets, and fashion is a competitive industry as it is. Be passionate about something. Anyone can be successful as long as they have a good idea, a good product, and a little bit of money behind them.
CS: Why don’t you give us a list of the top 10 things you’ve learned along the way…
DL:
1. When the customer says yes, stop talking.
2. It doesn’t matter how articulate you are; it is impossible to look smart with bad numbers.
3. Don’t spend time thinking about the things you can’t control – focus on the things you have control over.
4. When it comes to negotiating, never take the last dollar off the table. Both parties need to feel like they came away with a deal.
5. Don’t be that greedy asshole.
6. Show up on time.
7. You’re only as good as your word. In any business, if you say something, you better deliver. You only get one chance.
8. There is a fine line between friendships, employees, and relationships.
9. Never think you know everything. When you start to think you do, you’re screwed. Its so important to ask questions and be curious and learn.
10. And most importantly…FIND SOMEONE YOU CAN ASK THE STUPID QUESTIONS TO!!!
Be sure to check out the other part to this interview!
