In an inspiring session on the second day of the 7th annual Sharjah Investment Forum (SIF), Grant Cardone,  Private Equity Fund Manager, Business Strategist and Founder & CEO of Cardone Capital, encouraged the audience to aim high, remain persistent and embrace the challenges of entrepreneurship with enthusiasm.

His talk ‘Building a Future-Proof Business’, moderated by renowned entrepreneur and RJ Kris Fade, resonated strongly with the crowd, particularly those in Sharjah’s rapidly evolving business landscape, where opportunities for growth and success continue to expand. The American businessman, Real Estate Investor and Equity Fund manager asserted that Sharjah and Dubai are on their way to becoming the largest real estate hubs globally, adding “next time I will land in Sharjah”.

Constantly moving towards one’s potential

“I was a bad student, but I was always interested in success”, the self-made Cardone who lost his father at a young age, told his audience. His key advice to startups is to seek opportunities and move forward with the goal of constant improvement. “It’s not about being in business; it’s about constantly moving towards your potential.”

Cardone is known for a project he undertook during the COVID-19 pandemic, where he was tasked with building a million-dollar business in 90 days—without using his name, social media, or credit cards. Despite these restrictions, the American entrepreneur surpassed expectations, creating a business worth $5.5 million. This achievement, he explained, was made possible by having a clear target and a relentless drive to reach it. “Once the target is big enough, you’ll be pulled to the solutions. You’ll find the thing that will get you there,” he told the audience.

On leadership and the role of CEOs in guiding their teams, Cardone warned about the dangers of complacency. “The moment you become satisfied with where you are, that’s when you’re at your most vulnerable.” Cardone believes that a leader’s job is to inspire their team with big goals that will keep them engaged and motivated.

Cardone’s golden advise on raising capital

Cardone’s entrepreneurial journey includes raising US$1.5 billion without relying on traditional banks. When asked about how he achieved this, he emphasised the importance of attention. “Money moves to attention. If you don’t get attention, you don’t get money,” he explained.

For Cardone, marketing is not just about selling a product, but about educating people and building long-term relationships. “We don’t ask for money upfront. We provide value first, and that builds trust and attention.”

Multiple streams of income

Another key topic of discussion was how entrepreneurs should manage their income streams, particularly those still working a fulltime job. Cardone’s advice was: “Never leave a stream of income. Get great at what you’re doing, then become a master of it.” He encouraged aspiring entrepreneurs to master their current roles while building additional income streams connected to their primary work, rather than seeking entirely separate hustles.

“Anything is possible, anywhere, as long as people have a goal big enough. Small goals will not inspire you. If you’re lazy, lethargic, or complacent, it’s because your goals are too small”, Cardone concluded with a powerful and thought provoking message.

Organised by the Sharjah FDI Office (Invest in Sharjah) under the theme: A Futuristic Vision for Smart Economies, the seventh edition of the Sharjah Investment Forum took place on September 18 and 19 at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre in Sharjah.