What makes a business a great business?

What are investors looking for in a business to actually put their money in it? What can convince big names such as Donald Trump, Oprah, Kevin O’Leary and Robert Herjavec? What can help entrepreneurs take their businesses to the next level?

Robert Herjavec is the son of Croatian immigrants that came to the United States and started from scratch. While he was waiting tables during the Internet boom, he decided to invest in it. Then came BRAK systems, once worth it $100 million and sold to AT&T. Now he is the head of the Herjavec group, a multimillionaire technology company.  So, what can catch the eye of this potential investor? Passion. He cannot stress enough how passion is important for a business.

Herjavec focuses on the “why” someone is doing something, much more than numbers or anything else. Not that they are not important, but the investor explains that an entrepreneur has to be passionate about what he does in order to convince people to give him money – whether is for an investment or for a purchase of a product.

KevinO’Leary has similar views than Herjavec’s. O’leary launched his first company from his basement – like many successful enterprises start – and went to making it a million-dollar deal, selling it later for $3.7 billion. Now he is the head of O’Leary funds and is always looking for profitable investments for his fellow investors and his other company, Stream Global. 

For O'Leary, an entrepreneur has to know their business in order to convince the investors. He says usually the best ideas are the ones explained in 90 seconds (the so famous “elevator pitch”), that show the people explaining them can execute it – and the ones that have the numbers correct. 

DonaldTrump is a legend. Real estate and media mogul has made himself into one of the most powerful brands the world knows. Owner of hotels, buildings, golf courses, and also star and co-producer of the hit show “The Apprentice”, Trump is someone to listen to when it comes to business.

Also to him, passion is the number one ingredient to success. Here is the why of every business plan. Entrepreneurs have to think on why they are doing it and have an incredible passion for the business and/or the cause. Trump says: “You have to completely believe in what you are doing, and a knowledge of business is useful, but I would mention that passion, momentum and focus are crucial”.