The Walt Disney Company is a multinational mass media corporation that has shaped the childhoods and pop culture of millions, probably billions of people. It is the most well-known company in the history of the world, valued at $45.429 Billion, and the second largest broadcasting and cable company in the world. And it all started with one man, Walt Disney.

Walt Disney’s life lessons serve as excellent reminders for young entrepreneurs. He proves that circumstance and education do not dictate what you can become. Here are some of the key takeaways from his life and work.

1. You must be a salesman.

As Walt said, dreams take money, and money comes from selling. Walt believed in himself and his dreams and could therefore convince others to believe in him too. He personally traveled to different producers and showed them the raw footage of Snow White and convinced them to finish financing the film. To finance attractions at Disneyland, he persuaded television studios to finance building the park in exchange for original Disney programming. This genius plan not only financed the park, but by the time it opened, millions of people couldn’t wait to go. It proved to be one of the most successful media campaigns ever done and helped grow Disneyland into the international destination it remains today.

2. Leadership is inspiration, innovation, and focus.

The key to Walt Disney’s leadership is that he was an incredible storyteller. He would inspire his workers and make them a part of the story and as a result, get more from them. When he was first pitching his animators on the story of Snow White, he would act out the characters, even doing their different voices and movements. Walt had a unique ability to hire people more talented than he was and to focus and coordinate their attention towards a common goal. He also knew his workers. He knew what they were capable of and didn’t accept anything less than their best.

3. Always be constantly improving.

Walt believed in the future. He insisted that Steamboat Willie have sound synced and recorded, unheard of for a cartoon at that time. After Snow White became a huge success and literally changed the film industry, it led to the success of several more beloved Disney classics like Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland and Fantasia. Walt Disney could have rested on his laurels, but that wasn’t his style. Instead, he completely switched gears and set out to build an amusement park where parents and children could have fun together.

4. Develop a high tolerance for risk.

Walt took a lot of risks in his career. He would carefully weigh out both sides and make a decision for bold action and, once decided, never wavered. If Disneyland had failed, it would have bankrupted the company. Today, the Disney theme parks bring in BILLIONS of revenue and millions of visitors each year.

5. Change your attitude towards failure.

Walt Disney failed a lot. His first studio, Laugh O’ Grams never made a profit. But from the ashes of his immense failure rose one of the most beloved characters ever created, Mickey Mouse.

6. Believe in yourself, even when everyone else says you’re crazy.

Throughout his entire career, Walt was told what couldn’t be done. He proved that just because it hasn’t been done before doesn’t make it impossible. Impossible is a word of a small-minded person, and Walt Disney dreamed big. He had an unshakable belief in himself and what he was doing; that was all that mattered.

7. Resiliency is an entrepreneur’s best friend.

Walt faced many difficulties that would have made the average person give up. It took Walt 16 years to get the rights to make Mary Poppins, one of the best films of that time. He was turned down 302 times when trying to find financing for Disneyland before striking a deal with the television studios. Resiliency is the ability to withstand or recover quickly from difficult circumstances. Walt was able to keep going even when the odds were against him.

In conclusion, Walt Disney’s life lessons are a testament to his success. These lessons are all vital for any entrepreneur. Believing in yourself, taking risks, being resilient and constantly improving are just a few of the keys to success. Walt Disney’s legacy continues to inspire millions of people worldwide.