At the recent Entrepreneur Level Up Conference, entrepreneurs from across the nation convened to acquire strategies, gain inspiration, and gather practical insights from an array of renowned successful entrepreneurs. I had the privilege of hosting the conference in tandem with Entrepreneur.

One of the event’s leading figures, Robert Herjavec — an investor, entrepreneur, and star of Shark Tank — delivered a keynote rich with wisdom for founders navigating today’s unpredictable business environment.

Herjavec’s insights weren’t mere theoretical concepts. They were hard-earned lessons shaped in the real-world trenches of entrepreneurship — lessons that resonated directly with the audience’s challenges and aspirations.

Here’s a breakdown of his most impactful takeaways.

1. Every answer opens a door to opportunity

Herjavec emphasized that opportunities rarely arrive neatly packaged. They often hide in conversations, questions or unexpected feedback.

“Every answer opens a door to opportunity,” he said.

The core message was unmistakable: curiosity fuels growth. Entrepreneurs who sustain their curiosity by asking questions and looking for insights often uncover opportunities that others may miss. Instead of brushing off a “no” or a challenging response, Herjavec encouraged attendees to hunt for the opportunity behind it. Sometimes, it is the following question or the readiness to listen more intently that can turn rejection into opportunity.

2. Evolution, not revolution

The legend of entrepreneurship often glorifies the “big idea” that revolutionizes an industry overnight. Yet, Herjavec reminded the audience that this is seldom the reality.

“Most businesses evolve — they’re rarely revolutions.”

He elucidated that while breakthrough innovations grab headlines, most sustainable businesses are crafted through incremental advancements, superior execution, and adapting existing ideas to fresh markets.

For entrepreneurs, this means it’s okay if your business doesn’t feel revolutionary from day one. What matters is staying committed to evolving, improving and listening to the market.

3. Adaptability is non-negotiable

If there was a central theme in Herjavec’s talk, it was adaptability. He described winning businesses as those that thrive on adaptability — not just to survive shocks, but to seize growth in changing conditions.

“When knocked down, resilience plus adaptability equals survival.”

He acknowledged that setbacks are inevitable in entrepreneurship. The real test isn’t whether you’ll face challenges, but how you respond to them. Entrepreneurs who can adapt — whether by shifting strategy, reinventing a product or rethinking how they serve customers — are the ones who endure.

4. The founder sets the tone

Herjavec didn’t shy away from a sobering reality: when businesses struggle, the root cause often lies with leadership.

“Show me a business in trouble, and I’ll show you a founder who has lost their way.”

He explained that when leaders lose focus, passion or clarity, the organization inevitably follows. A founder’s vision and energy cascade down into the culture, decision-making and execution. If leaders drift, so does the company.

For entrepreneurs, this is a call to self-reflection. Protect your clarity of purpose. Revisit why you started. And remember that your team looks to you not just for direction, but for inspiration.

5. Success is never accidental

While luck can play a role in any journey, Herjavec stressed that sustainable success is never accidental.

Behind every thriving business is intentionality — clear strategy, deliberate choices and consistent effort. He encouraged entrepreneurs to resist the temptation of shortcuts and quick wins, instead focusing on building systems and cultures that create lasting value.

This doesn’t mean every decision will be perfect, but it does mean success comes to those who plan, prepare and execute with purpose.

6. Rethinking sales

As an entrepreneur who built and scaled a successful cybersecurity firm before becoming a television investor, Herjavec has lived through countless sales conversations. His perspective on sales was refreshingly straightforward.

“Sales equals uncovering client needs plus communicating how you meet them.”

He stressed that sales isn’t about pushing a product, talking endlessly or forcing a solution. It’s about understanding — truly listening to what clients need — and then clearly showing how your business delivers value.

Equally important, he warned against the temptation to oversell.

“Don’t oversell. Selling should feel natural: Am I providing value?”

In Herjavec’s view, sales is not about persuasion, but about alignment. When entrepreneurs shift their mindset from “closing deals” to “creating value,” selling becomes easier, more authentic and ultimately more successful.

7. Resilience is the entrepreneur’s superpower

Beyond adaptability, Herjavec spoke passionately about resilience. Entrepreneurship, he reminded the audience, is a marathon, not a sprint. The journey is filled with failures, rejections and setbacks that would crush many people.

But successful entrepreneurs are defined not by how often they fall, but by how quickly and effectively they get back up. Resilience isn’t just about surviving adversity — it’s about using it as fuel to keep moving forward.

8. Putting it all together

When woven together, Herjavec’s insights form a practical framework for entrepreneurs:

• Stay curious. Every question or answer could unlock a new path.
• Focus on evolution. Businesses rarely transform the world overnight; they grow through steady improvement.
• Prioritize adaptability. Resilience plus the ability to adapt equals survival.
• Lead with clarity. A founder’s vision shapes the trajectory of the business.
• Be intentional. Success is the product of strategy, not accident.
• Sell by serving. Sales is about listening, uncovering needs and providing genuine value.
• Build resilience. Setbacks aren’t the end; they’re the training ground for growth.

For the entrepreneurs in the audience, these weren’t just abstract principles. They were reminders that the entrepreneurial journey — while hard — is navigable with the right mindset and tools.

Conclusion: The path forward

Robert Herjavec’s keynote at the Entrepreneur Level Up Conference reinforced a timeless truth: entrepreneurship is not just about great ideas, but about great execution, resilience and human connection.

His words served as both a challenge and an encouragement. The challenge: entrepreneurs must remain vigilant, adaptable and intentional in their leadership. The encouragement: success is within reach for those willing to evolve, listen and persist.

For every founder wondering how to navigate uncertainty, Herjavec’s playbook is simple but powerful: stay curious, adapt relentlessly, lead with clarity and always create value.

At the end of the day, business isn’t about luck or shortcuts — it’s about resilience, adaptability and the courage to keep showing up

Don’t miss out next year — Click here to add your name to the Level Up waitlist and secure early access to tickets & updates.