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Celebrating Joan Rivers

Joan Rivers & Steve Sipress

I had the pleasure of meeting Joan Rivers a few years ago.

The world knew her for being one of the sharpest, funniest comedians ever.

But she was also an extremely successful business person, with a career that spanned over 55 years.

Of course I enjoyed her immense comedic talent.

Even more, I admired her for the attitude and character traits that made her such a huge business success.

All entrepreneurs, business owners and sales professionals can learn a lot about what it takes to be successful from studying the life and career of Joan Rivers.

Let’s let her own words speak for her winning attitude and character traits…

OUTSPOKEN & HONEST

“I believe in telling it like it is. I’ve always been a no-holds barred type of person. I let it all hang out.”

“I succeeded by saying what everyone else is thinking.”

“I don’t mince words, I don’t hold back. What are you gonna do to me? Fire me? It’s been done. Threaten to commit suicide? Done. Take away my show? Done! Not invite to me to the Vanity Fair party? I’ve never been invited!”

“I’ve learned to have absolutely no regrets about any jokes I’ve ever done.”

THICK-SKINNED

“I’m in nobody’s circle, I’ve always been an outsider.”

“I’ve learned from my dealings with Johnny Carson that no matter what kind of friendship you think you have with people you’re working with, when the chips are down, it’s all about business.”

“When people hate me, that’s good. They know I’m there.”

TENACIOUS

“I think [I’m] just always trying to push for myself, push the boundaries.”

“If I can’t make it through one door, I’ll go through another door — or I’ll make a door. Something terrific will come no matter how dark the present.”

AMBITIOUS

“People say that money is not the key to happiness, but I always figured if you have enough money, you can have a key made.”

“I could be the Greta Garbo of comedy, very secluded, but Garbo had a man who was beyond rich to support her.”

ACTION-ORIENTED

“I enjoy life when things are happening. I don’t care if it’s good things or bad things. That means you’re alive. Things are happening.”

“I didn’t want to do ‘Fashion Police’ because I thought, ‘This is stupid, this is beneath me, who wants to talk about fashion?’ It has taken off. We are the number one show in England on E! Who knew?”

“I lived to be on stage, and I’m terrified. Terrified before every show.”

GRATEFUL

“I wake up in the morning, and if nobody is standing over me doing a eulogy, it’s a good day.”

“Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is God’s gift. That’s why we call it the present.”

Joan Rivers was one of God’s gifts to everyone for how she made us laugh, and to all business owners and entrepreneurs for how she set an example for us of what it takes to become and stay successful.

She was a pioneer who broke through barriers, fought through tremendous personal and professional challenges and did whatever it took to keep going and come out on top.

I already miss the wit grit of Joan Rivers.

I will never forget her, and the positive effect she has had on me.

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