Reston Limousine CEO and President Kristina Bouweiri has been invited to participate as a panelist in a new feature of the Washington Post’s online edition.
At On Success, The Post will “introduce you to successful people and let them tell you how they got to where they are and what advice they might offer to others trying to make it. There will be links to good reads (and sometimes good videos) in the pages of The Post as well as other publications and media outlets,” according to its
Web site.
In the most recent installment on Nov. 5, Kristina was asked, “Does success breed success? Are people more likely to succeed if they wind up with a successful organization like the New York Yankees or performing beside stars such as Derek Jeter? How often does the expectation and aura of success become a self-fulfilling prophecy?”
Yes, of course, success breeds success. In my business, our chauffeurs are our “ambassadors.” When the company is successful, we are able to hire even more talented employees who become our ambassadors. When a company is successful, it can afford higher salaries and offer better benefits. This all trickles down to the front-line employee. When the employee is happy and proud to work at a company, the client is treated well and receives great service. This creates repeat customers. Success breeds success, and people want to work for a successful company!
On a personal note, I believe you are the average of the 10 people you spend the most time with. If those 10 people are successful, you will be successful. You will be introduced to their friends and their friends become your friends. I’ve found through time that you are only as good as your network. It is who you know and not what you know.
When I bought land in 2000 to build a facility in Loudoun County, I ran into a zoning problem. I called my lawyer for advice and was told, “Well, who do you know?” I replied that I didn’t know anybody. From that day forward I realized I needed to network and meet more people. I had been a member of the local Chamber, but not active. I joined committees and helped organizations raise money and find new members. Today, I sit on seven boards and I can honestly say that I probably know how to connect with almost anyone in Loudoun County.
Lesson learned: It’s important to be involved in your community and create a network that you can tap into when you need it.
To read all of Kristina’s answers to the weekly questions, please visit WashingtonPost.com.