Barbara Corcoran on How to Build a Business and Letting Go of Perfectionism
When it comes to business, few people have the experience, insight, and no-nonsense approach that Barbara Corcoran brings to the table. The Shark Tank star and real estate mogul joined Heal Squad with Maria Menounos to share her best business advice, insights on overcoming rejection, and why perfectionism is one of the biggest obstacles to success.
From D Student to Billion-Dollar Businesswoman
Barbara Corcoran’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. As a self-described “D student,” she didn’t let academic struggles define her. Instead, she leaned into her strengths—relentless work ethic, street smarts, and an unshakable belief in herself.
“I have a theory, and I really believe it: Your worst weakness can become your greatest single strength,” Barbara shared. She emphasized that the key to success isn’t intelligence or pedigree, but rather resilience and action.
The Myth of the Perfect Plan: Just Start
Many aspiring entrepreneurs get stuck in the planning phase, afraid to launch until everything is perfect. Barbara insists that waiting for the perfect moment is a mistake.
“When it comes to business, you don’t have to get it right—you just have to get the damn thing going,” she said. Overanalyzing and waiting for the “right” time often lead to inaction. Instead, she encourages people to take a leap, test their ideas in real-world scenarios, and adjust along the way.
One of the biggest mistakes, she says, is spending time and money on things like trademarks and patents before knowing if a business idea will actually succeed. “You don’t want a trademark or a patent until people see what you have and they’re jealous and want to copy it,” she advised.
Rejection is Part of the Game
Barbara knows a thing or two about rejection. In fact, before becoming one of the original Shark Tank investors, she was initially rejected from the show. Instead of accepting the “no,” she wrote a bold email to executive producer Mark Burnett, convincing him to let her compete for the seat. The result? She won the spot and has since invested in over 80 businesses on the hit ABC show.
“If I didn’t sit down and write that email, I wouldn’t be where I am today,” she said. Barbara attributes her ability to bounce back from rejection to a lesson she learned from her mother: Failure isn’t the end—it’s just another step forward.
Hiring the Right People: Why Happy Employees Matter
A key part of Barbara’s success has been her ability to build strong teams. Her number one rule for hiring? Hire happy people.
“I’ve never again hired an unhappy person after the first unhappy superstar salesman I lived with,” she revealed. “She was a great salesperson, but she was miserable to be around, and it affected everyone.”
Barbara firmly believes that a negative attitude is contagious in the workplace. Instead, she looks for people with great attitudes over experience, knowing that skills can be taught, but enthusiasm and resilience are innate.
The Power of Fun and Curiosity
One of Barbara’s biggest lessons, both in business and life, is the importance of having fun and staying curious. “Fun is my secret sauce,” she shared. “If you’re not having fun, things aren’t going to be as successful as they could be.”
She also advises scheduling fun just like you would schedule work. This year, she’s prioritizing time for vacations and personal enjoyment, proving that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of personal fulfillment.
Final Advice
Barbara Corcoran’s journey from a struggling student to a self-made millionaire is proof that traditional paths to success aren’t the only option. Her biggest pieces of advice?
- Just start—don’t wait for the perfect plan.
- Rejection is part of the process—get used to bouncing back.
- Hire happy people—they make all the difference.
- Have fun and stay curious—it keeps you energized and engaged.
If you’re ready to take your business idea to the next level, take Barbara’s advice and stop overthinking. Just get out there and start!
For the full conversation, watch Heal Squad with Maria Menounos on YouTube or listen on Apple Podcasts. Don’t forget to subscribe for more life-changing insights from inspiring guests like Barbara Corcoran!
