Translator: Emma Dovlatyan Reviewer: Ellen Maloney
I think all of us dreamed about some profession as a child.
Many kids dream of having some magical or unusual professions.
I was in first or second grade when our teacher gave us
a writing assignment and the topic was ''my dream profession."
At the end of the lesson, we had eight pilots,
nine firefighters, and six actors.
The profession I wrote about was a little bit more realistic.
I wanted to become a bank manager.
I just wanted to have much money,
as I thought that the manager owns all the money in the bank.
At that time I missed something.
Imagine you are climbing on a long rope.
You can't touch the top of it at first, can you?
The only way is the by taking bit by bit with your hands.
When I grew older I realized,
that for earning lots of money, I should start with little amounts.
Starting your own business isn't an easy thing to do.
When Charles Aznavour started his career,
many people said that he didn’t have a good voice
and wouldn't succeed in show business.
But he didn’t pay attention, he took the risk.
Today he is a well-known singer.
Always keep in your mind
that the biggest obstacles on your way to success
is other people’s opinions about you.
There’ll always be people
who’ll make you think that what you plan is going to fail.
Let me tell my own story.
My family has been engaged in the textile industry for many years.
My grandfather was a shoemaker and had his own factory.
Following our family tradition I also learned this craft.
Over time I realized it can be a good way of earning money.
I decided to set up my own factory.
I found some money to buy raw materials and equipment.
When I was going to buy all the stuff
everybody was unanimously saying, ''It won't work,"
''You will not succeed," ''You can find something better."
Hearing such opinions, I also wondered about a possible failure.
Once when I was talking to my friend he said,
''Which one is better?
Taking a risk and succeeding, or losing some amount of money?
Or leaving all this and thinking for the rest of your life
that you could succeed?''
After this conversation I forgot about my doubts
and started working passionately.
The founder of IKEA, Ingvar Kamprand once said,
''Only those who are asleep make no mistakes.''
So just be brave enough to act instead of trying to avoid mistakes.
Don't forget that those mistakes teach us how to be successful.
Next very common obstacle is the addiction of present desires.
Once a millionaire was asked how he had earned that much money.
He smiled and answered
that before earning the first million, he wore only one suit.
I realized that to be successful, we need to sacrifice something:
Hanging out with friends, shopping, or living in a better house.
I have gone through all this myself.
Very often, I met my friends in the park and just walked,
instead of spending money in different cafes.
As to clothes I don't buy new ones,
instead I use my imagination to redesign what I have.
And I saved some money for my business through such things.
After all this I just want to say one shouldn't get disappointed,
but move forward towards the top of the rope, making small steps.
Don't be afraid of challenges or people's opinions about you
that sometimes can make your way more difficult.
At the end let me quote
famous business lady, Coco Chanel,
''If you want something you never had,
you have to do something you have never done.''
(Applause)