Kitabı oxu: «Бизнес-гении. Увлекательные истории для изучения английского языка»

© Ягудена А., текст, 2024

© Ибрагимова А., иллюстрации, 2024

© ООО «Феникс», оформление, 2024

© В оформлении обложки использованы иллюстрации по лицензии Shutterstock.com

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Introduction

Билл Гейтс, Эсте Лаудер, Уолт Дисней, Генри Форд – что объединяет всех этих людей? Упорство, воля к победе, талант, удачливость? В чем секрет их успеха? На эти и многие другие вопросы мы постараемся ответить в этой книге. Здесь вы встретите мотивирующие истории, которые не оставят вас равнодушными, а вдохновят на собственные достижения и зарядят оптимизмом. Ведь, как известно, путь к успеху часто бывает тернист. Это не секрет, что многие богатые и знаменитые люди вовсе не родились с серебряной ложкой во рту, а их благосостояние – это результат длительного и кропотливого труда. К сожалению, лишь немногие задумываются над тем, что успех подобен айсбергу. Большинство людей видит только ту самую вершину, величественную глыбу льда, если выражаться фигурально. А что же скрывается «под водой»? Препятствия, риски, стресс. Я надеюсь, что истории из этой книги научат вас никогда не пасовать перед трудностями, не опускать руки в случае неудачи, а, наоборот, рассматривать это как урок, извлекать опыт и пользу для себя. Достичь успеха можно в любые времена и вне зависимости от места рождения: это доказывают биографии наших героев, живших в разных странах и в разные эпохи.

Книга рассматривает вдохновляющие истории успеха и занимательные факты из жизни выдающихся предпринимателей. Вот их имена:

• Аркадий Новиков;

• Эсте Лаудер;

• Уолт Дисней;

• Илон Маск;

• Джефф Безос;

• Генри Форд;

• Томас Эдисон;

• Полковник Харланд Сандерс;

• Екатерина и Вера Мирошниченко;

• Ральф Лорен.

В данной книге использован современный метод обучения через развлечение – “edutainment”. Теперь вам не придется монотонно заучивать материал. Напротив, можно совместить приятное с полезным: познакомиться с историями успеха выдающихся предпринимателей, а затем, вдохновившись, с удовольствием приступить к отработке основных навыков владения английским языком.

Все биографии сопровождаются актуальной лексикой и заданиями на понимание смысла прочитанного, расширение словарного запаса и развитие коммуникативных навыков. Чтобы преодолеть языковой барьер и максимально развить воображение и навыки устной речи, читатели могут выполнить творческие задания: ответы-рассуждения на вопросы проблемного характера и занимательные упражнения с использованием пословиц и поговорок. В конце книги есть переводы текстов (не дословные, но полно передающие смысл), ключи к упражнениям и образцы выполнения творческих заданий, которые помогут проверить себя без участия преподавателя и ускорят процесс усвоения материала. Любители мудрых мыслей и высказываний оценят подборку мотивирующих цитат об успехе.

Arkady Novikov

No matter what heights you achieve and how much money you have, always remember to stay human. Sadly enough, some people do not change for the better once they become successful. Truthfully, not everyone can withstand the challenges of wealth, power, and fame, which reveal a person’s true nature like a litmus test. As the saying goes, “If you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” Certain people become arrogant, heartless, selfish, and disrespectful to others once they climb to the top. And the list goes on. I think they simply cannot withstand pressure. After all, money does not spoil people; it only exposes their weaknesses and strengths.

Luckily, most successful and famous people do not suffer from “celebrity disease.” Instead, they work on self-development, achieve their full potential, invest in personal growth, and become their best selves. I am a firm believer that neither money nor power can spoil a strong-minded person who has the right values and priorities in life. In addition, the road to success is often thorny and paved with failures and obstacles. However, life’s difficulties help us know what we are capable of. They make us wiser and more tolerant. They also provide opportunities for personal growth and self-development.

Everyone is familiar with the name Arkady Novikov. Today, he is one of the most famous and successful Russian restaurateurs. Arkady Novikov is a self-made businessman. This unique man has managed to build a real empire of restaurants from scratch and gained recognition not only in Russia but also worldwide. Arkady Novikov is more than just a successful entrepreneur; he is also a man with a big heart. He is always ready to help the needy and support charities. What I most admire about this person is that he didn’t let success go to his head: he has remained charismatic, humane, sincere, and honest. Whenever I follow him on social networks and listen to his interviews, I am always amazed by his charisma, poise, and subtle sense of humor. Arkady Novikov never exalts himself or sounds bombastic. Contrarily, he is a truly sincere and pleasant person, without any hint of arrogance or high-hat manners. He is a true professional who is totally dedicated to his work. Here’s how Caroline Taylor, general manager of Novikov Restaurant & Bar, describes Arkady: “Tireless, inspired, a perfectionist and challenging!”

So, how did Arkady Novikov, who was once turned down for a job at McDonald’s, manage to build a culinary empire from scratch?

Arkady Novikov was born on July 25, 1962, in Moscow. He came from an ordinary family: his father was a design engineer, and his mother was a kindergarten teacher. His childhood was rather challenging. When the boy was less than 6 years old, his parents divorced. He stayed with his mother in a small one-room apartment. To make ends meet, his mom had to work hard, and his grandmother helped to bring him up. As a child, he used to dream about a bike, but he never got one because there was not enough room for it. Surprisingly, Arkady had no plans to build a career in the restaurant industry, and he was never a big fan of cooking. As a child, he wanted to be a policeman and imagined himself riding a motorcycle like police officers.

Curiously enough, Arkady didn’t find traditional school learning particularly engaging and didn’t like socializing much, but he read a lot.

After graduating from high school, Novikov applied to the Moscow Automobile and Road Institute but didn’t ace his exams and wasn’t admitted. And as the saying goes, it was for the best. Then, on his mother’s advice, he went to culinary college, and that was a turning point in his life. He suddenly discovered his talent for cooking and totally immersed himself in the culinary arts, curious to learn all the tricks and mastery of the craft. Here’s what Novikov says about it:

I entered a new world, where nobody really knew me, and I was able to establish myself the way I wanted to. So, I grasped everything on the fly: how to bake pies, how to roast meat, and how to cut quickly. Everything was so interesting, so unusual to me – knives, boards, meat grinders. I kept looking through books and dreamed of cooking something new.

I believe that dreams come true for those who pursue them in spite of the obstacles.

In order to grow professionally, Novikov decided to enroll in Plekhanov Russian Academy of Economics¹ in 2010. As a part-time student, he was able to successfully combine his work with studies. Novikov began his career as a cook at the Universitetskaya Hotel restaurant. However, the most significant event in his life was his role as a chef at Victoria Restaurant. After working there for a while, he decided to quit. I think that some events can completely change the course of a person’s life. Thus, meeting the renowned musician Stas Namin was one of the turning points in Arkady Novikov’s life. It so happened that Namin became the new owner of Victoria. He changed the name of the restaurant to Hard Rock Café and appointed Novikov as the manager. According to the successful entrepreneur himself, it was thanks to Stas Namin that he stayed in the restaurant business. However, Novikov wasn’t going to stop there. His next goal was to open his own restaurant.

In 1992, Novikov opened his first restaurant called Sirena in the technical college building. He was able to negotiate the best lease terms. As per the agreement, he was to serve meals to 200 students of the college for a symbolic price. In the early 1990s, the restaurant market in Moscow was in its early days, just beginning to develop. So, Novikov was one of the pioneers in the restaurant industry. Since meat was costly, the entrepreneur opted for a fish restaurant. Over time, the place became extremely popular not only with Moscow residents but also with celebrity guests, including Liza Minnelli and Sting.

Since then, Novikov’s business has grown into an empire. Arkady Novikov has opened more than three hundred different restaurants not only in Russia but also around the world: in sunny Miami, in foggy Albion, on the Italian elite island of Sardinia, in the Arabian city of Doha, and so on. The menus include a variety of cuisines from different countries around the world. Among the most famous Arkady Novikov’s restaurants are Savva, Artest, Novikov Restaurant & Bar, Novikov Café Dubai, Novikov Italy Bodrum, and many others. In 2021, two of Novikov’s restaurants – Artest and Savva – received the famous Michelin stars2. Artest is one of the two restaurants in Moscow holding two Michelin stars².

I think it is safe to say that Arkady Novilov has found his true calling in life. He always insists that he is doing what he really loves. As Confucius put it, “Find a job you love, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.”

So, what’s Novikov’s winning formula?

I believe that his recipe for success consists of several key factors. First, it is his passion for work, as well as his dedication, total commitment, and enthusiasm. When you put your heart and soul into your work, you radiate positive energy and inspire your employees. Second, Arkady Novikov has an incredible charisma and a fantastic charm, which help him win people over and build trust-based relationships with his partners. Third, Novikov has good communication skills. His naturalness, sincerity, and simplicity are really captivating. Fourth, his keen business sense and intuition play a significant role in the success of his career. Arkady Novikov is a true visionary who sees opportunities where others do not. After all, as we all know, everything starts with an idea. What’s more, the influential restaurateur is always part of the process and is always there to help his employees when problems arise. It is common knowledge that having the ability to build a team is crucial in business. In addition, Novikov knows how to create a unique atmosphere in his restaurants to attract customers. It should also be noted that Arkady is always focused on building trusted partnerships. He believes “there are two important things in business and partnership: professionalism and integrity.” Lastly, Arkady Novikov’s main qualities are perseverance, determination, self-control, and discipline. He never cuts himself any slack. Here is one of Novikov’s favorite quotes from Robert Kiyosaki:

Justification is a lie that you tell yourself. Stop whining, complaining, and acting like children. Excuses make a person poor.

Arkady Novikov has been happily married for many years. Arkady’s wife, Nadezhda, is a highly accomplished businesswoman. The couple has two grown children: Nikita and Sasha. It is always a joy to see this happy family. In my opinion, Arkady and Nadezhda are a perfect match. They complement each other and always radiate positivity. Novikov’s children followed in their father’s footsteps and started their own businesses in the food industry.

Vocabulary

truthfully [truːθfəli] – честно говоря, по правде говоря

withstand [wɪðˈstænd] – противостоять, выдерживать

fame [feɪm] – слава

litmus test [ˈlɪtməs test] – лакмусовая бумага, безошибочный показатель

reveal [rɪˈviːl] – раскрывать, разоблачать

arrogant [ˈærəɡənt] – надменный, высокомерный, заносчивый

heartless [ˈhɑːrtləs] – бессердечный, бездушный, безжалостный

selfish [ˈselfɪʃ] – эгоистичный

disrespectful [ˌdɪsrɪˈspektfl] – неуважительный

expose [ɪkˈspəʊz] – разоблачать, срывать маску, обнажать

self-improvement [ˌself ɪmˈpruːvmənt] – самосовершенствование

self-development [ˌself dɪˈveləpmənt] – саморазвитие

tolerant [ˈtɑːlərənt] – терпимый, толерантный

personal growth [ˈpɜːrsənl ɡrəʊθ] – личностный рост

restaurateur [ˌrestərəˈtɜːr] – ресторатор

gain recognition [ɡeɪn ˌrekəɡˈnɪʃn] – завоевать признание, получить известность

poise [pɔɪz] – уравновешенность

exalt oneself [ɪɡˈzɔːlt ˌwʌnˈself] – возвеличивать себя

bombastic [bɑːmˈbæstɪk] – напыщенный, высокопарный

high-hat manners [ˈhaɪ hæt ˈmænərz] – высокомерие, заносчивость

design engineer [dɪˈzaɪn ˌendʒɪˈnɪr] – инженер-конструктор

police officer [pəˈliːs ˈɑːfɪsər] – блюститель порядка

culinary college [ˈkʌlɪneri ˈkɑːlɪdʒ] – кулинарный техникум

cuisine [kwɪˈziːn] – кухня, кулинария

put one’s heart and soul into [pʊt wʌnz hɑːrt ənd səʊl ˈɪntuː] – вложить всю душу

business sense [ˈbɪznəs sens] – деловое чутье, деловая хватка

perfect match [ˈpɜːrfɪkt mætʃ] – идеальная пара

Exercises

Exercise 1. Answer the following questions:

1) Who is Arkady Novikov?

2) Is Arkady Novikov married or single?

3) Can everyone pass the test of wealth, power, and fame?

4) Do money, power, and fame spoil people?

5) What are the benefits of failure?

6) What is Arkady Novikov like?

7) Was he born into a well-off family?

8) What was his childhood like?

9) What was his relationship with his classmates and teachers?

10) What did he want to be as a kid?

11) What is Novikov’s educational background?

12) Did Arkady Novikov find his true calling?

13) What’s Novikov’s winning formula?

14) What is one of Novikov’s favorite quotes from Robert Kiyosaki? Do you agree with that saying?

Exercise 2. Find the equivalents of the following phrases in the text:

не все выдерживают испытание богатством, властью и славой; подняться вверх по социальной лестнице; путь к успеху тернист; сильный духом человек; его имя знакомо каждому; один из самых известных и успешных рестораторов; построить кулинарную империю с нуля; помогать нуждающимся; завоевать признание; успех не вскружил ему голову; он никогда не возвеличивает себя; человек с большим сердцем; он никогда не ведет себя напыщенно; его отказались взять на работу в Макдональдс; он никогда не был большим поклонником кулинарии; он не был общительным

Exercise 3. Give the Russian equivalents of the following phrases:

to have a business sense and intuition; I am a strong believer; to create a unique atmosphere; to attract customers; the menus include a variety of cuisines from different countries around the world; to inspire employees; to find a true calling in life; he has an incredible charisma and a fantastic charm; to have good communication skills; he is a true visionary who sees opportunities where others do not; he never cuts himself any slack; to win people over; to build trust-based relationships with his partners

Creative task No. 1

“You learn through mistakes – no one was born a master.” Discuss what this proverb means. State your opinion on the topic.

Estée Lauder

There is a famous saying: “He who falls today may rise tomorrow.” That is absolutely true. What I mean is that everything in life is relative. Today you are scraping by, but tomorrow you will be swimming in cash. The truth is, in the modern world, people are judged by their material possessions, social status, and rank. And it happens not only in movies but also in real life.

One day, a young girl selling her products at the beauty salon approached a wealthy customer. “Madam, could you tell me where you bought such a nice blouse?” she wondered. “It shouldn’t matter to you. You can’t afford it,” she answered arrogantly. It is obvious that the wealthy lady was simply a snob, and in her attempt to humiliate the other person, she just humiliated herself. However, it is hard to imagine how the young girl felt then. It is commonly known that the word is a powerful tool for influencing others, and each person reacts differently to the same situation. Some stop believing in themselves and get discouraged, and others bite the bullet and prove their worth. Who do you think this girl was? Let’s not beat around the bush. That true story happened to Estée Lauder, one of the most successful and wealthiest self-made women in the USA. On that day, she vowed to earn so much money that she would be able to buy whatever she wanted.

Estée Lauder, born Josephine Esther Mentzer, was the founder of the pioneering cosmetics company specializing in the manufacture and sale of skincare, hair products, makeup, and fragrances. “Every woman is beautiful” is the motto of her beauty empire. She once said:

There are no ugly women, only women who don’t care or don’t believe they are attractive… Why are all brides beautiful? Because on their wedding day, they care how they look.

Little Estée was born on July 1, 1908, in Queens, New York, to a big family. She was the youngest of nine children, five of whom were from her mother’s first marriage. Her father, Max Mentzer, was a tailor who later changed his occupation and opened a hardware store. Little Estée liked to spend time there and quickly learned the basics of retailing and entrepreneurship. Her mother, Rose, was ten years older than her father. She was a gorgeous woman, and Estée wanted to be like her. I think Rose was the one who taught the girl to appreciate beauty and grace. As a child, Lauder loved to brush her mom’s hair and apply creams on her face. One more interesting fact is that Lauder’s childhood dream was to become an actress. Above all, her maternal uncle, Dr. John Scholz, had the greatest influence on Estée Lauder. Shortly after the outbreak of World War I, he came to live with them and set up a laboratory in a stable behind their house. Her uncle was a chemist, and his company sold beauty products, such as lotions, creams, and fragrances. That event was a real game changer in Lauder’s life. After all, no wonder that she called her uncle a magician and a mentor.

Estée spent more and more time in the lab. She was fascinated by the cosmetic manufacturing process and delved into all the details. Her entrepreneurial spirit was ignited during her school years. She started selling her uncle’s products to her classmates at Newton High School, shared beauty tips, and unveiled the secrets of daily skincare routine. Soon, using the experience gained, Estée managed to take her little business to the next level and started selling creams in beauty salons.

However, little is known about Lauder’s younger years because she liked to create an air of mystery around herself. For example, for many years, people believed she belonged to a European noble family, which was far from the truth. In fact, she was born to poor Hungarian-Jewish immigrant parents. As the story goes, Lauder was embarrassed about her family’s migrant status and wanted to be fully American. She spent her young years trying to make ends meet. It may come as a surprise to you that Lauder did not have a formal education in cosmetics and beauty. As I see it, you do not always need a degree to become a real professional. As for Lauder, her hands-on experience and entrepreneurial spirit were instrumental in building her successful career.

The beauty industry totally captivated the young woman. She spent many nights trying to find the perfect formula for the skincare, and during the day, she visited her clients and promoted the beauty products. But the main point is that she never gave up on her goal and was really persistent. The legendary woman once said, “I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.” If you want to succeed in life, it is not enough just to dream. Make sure you change your mindset, fully dedicate yourself to what you love, take risks, and never doubt your abilities.

When Estée was in her early twenties, she met her dream man, Joseph Lauder, who was an accountant and a successful businessman, and married him. Soon enough, the couple had their first son, Leonard. However, the legendary woman did not see motherhood and marriage as an obstacle to her successful career. She went on to conquer new heights. Unfortunately, career is often the reason for divorce. So, the star couple was not spared from this destiny. They divorced in 1939. And you know what is amazing? Their love proved stronger than circumstances and misunderstandings. Three years later, Estée and Joseph remarried. Soon after, their second son, Ronald, was born.

In 1946, Estee officially founded her namesake company together with her husband. One of the key success factors of the company was Lauder’s innovative approach to beauty products and their high quality. Estée Lauder created the first-ever night serum (the Advanced Night Repair Serum), which became legendary in the beauty industry. According to her biographers, “Estée was one of the first to understand that skin is best able to repair itself at night and that a lightweight texture (what we now know as a serum) was better able to penetrate deeply into skin’s surface to help it repair.” What’s more, Lauder pioneered the strategy of offering free samples and personalized consultations. The female customers were thrilled: they could now test products on their skin before purchase. One of Lauder’s best ideas was to cooperate with such famous department stores throughout the country as Saks, Bloomingdale’s, and Macy’s. Curiously, the great woman personally picked and trained the sales personnel. She also made it a rule to give away gifts with every purchase. Lauder’s next goal was to venture abroad, and she did it. There was one funny thing, though. When the managers at Galleries Lafayette in Paris refused to stock her products, Lauder “accidentally” spilled her iconic fragrance called Youth Dew on the floor. The outcome surpassed all expectations. Customers started lining up to ask where they could buy that product. Those strategies helped her to build a loyal customer base.

Today, Estée Lauder continues to thrive and collaborate with A-list celebrities. The company owns a diverse portfolio of brands, including La Mer, Clinique, Jo Malone London, and Tom Ford Beauty. Even though the legendary woman passed away on April 24, 2004, her company is still one of the major players in the beauty industry.

Vocabulary

beauty salon [ˈbjuːti səˈlɑːn] – салон красоты

customer [ˈkʌstəmər] – клиент

arrogantly [ˈærəɡəntlɪ] – высокомерно, надменно

humiliate [hjuːˈmɪlɪeɪt] – унижать

bite the bullet [baɪt ðə ˈbʊlɪt] – стиснуть зубы, собрать волю в кулак

prove one’s worth [pruːv wʌnz wɜːrθ] – доказать свою значимость

skincare [ˈskɪnker] – уход за кожей

fragrance [ˈfreɪɡrəns] – парфюмерия, духи

entrepreneur [ˌɑːntrəprəˈnɜːr] – предприниматель

entrepreneurship [ˌɑːntrəprəˈnɜːrʃɪp] – предпринимательство

gorgeous [ˈɡɔːrdʒəs] – великолепный, прекрасный, шикарный

appreciate [əˈpriːʃieɪt] – ценить, высоко ставить

grace [ɡreɪs] – изящество, грация

fascinated [ˈfæsɪneɪtɪd] – зачарованный, завороженный

game changer [ˈɡeɪm ˈtʃeɪndʒər] – прорыв, событие, в корне меняющее ситуацию

captivate [ˈkæptɪveɪt] – очаровывать, пленять, увлекать

promote [prəˈməʊt] – рекламировать, продвигать

persistent [pərˈsɪstənt] – настойчивый, упорный

dedicate oneself [ˈdedɪkeɪt wʌnˈself] – посвятить себя

obstacle [ˈɑːbstəkl] – препятствие

conquer [ˈkɑːŋkər] – покорять

namesake company [ˈneɪmseɪk ˈkʌmpəni] – одноименная компания

serum [ˈsɪrəm] – сыворотка

penetrate [ˈpenətreɪt] – проникать внутрь

pioneer [ˌpaɪəˈnɪr] – первооткрыватель, быть первооткрывателем

free samples [fri: ˈsæmpl] – бесплатные образцы продукции

cooperate [kəʊˈɑːpəreɪt] – сотрудничать

make it a rule [ˈmeɪk ɪt ə ˌruːl] – взять за правило

purchase [ˈpɜːrtʃəs] – покупка

accidentally [ˌæksɪˈdentəli] – случайно

thrive [θraɪv] – процветать, преуспевать

collaborate [kəˈlæbəreɪt] – сотрудничать

Exercises

Exercise 1. Answer the following questions:

1) Who was Estée Lauder?

2) What was the most awkward situation Lauder had been in as a young girl?

3) What impact did this situation have on Lauder?

4) Who had the greatest influence on her career choice?

5) When was her entrepreneurial spirit ignited?

6) Was Estée married or single? Did she have any children?

7) What was the reason for her divorce in 1939?

8) Did Estée and her husband find a way to be together?

9) What year did Lauder found her company?

10) What were the key factors that contributed to Lauder’s success?

11) What is happening with the company today?

Exercise 2. Find the equivalents of the following phrases in the text:

дядя по материнской линии; кто сегодня упал, завтра может подняться; едва сводить концы с концами; собрать волю в кулак / стиснуть зубы; сменить род деятельности; ценить красоту и изящество; дух предпринимательства; посвятить себя любимому делу; это событие кардинально изменило ее жизнь; изменить свое мышление; новаторский подход; результат превзошел все ожидания

Exercise 3. Give the Russian equivalents of the following phrases:

to prove one’s worth; one of the most successful and wealthiest self-made women; shortly after the outbreak of World War I; let’s not beat around the bush; a skincare routine; that event was a real game changer; to succeed in life; to conquer new heights; personalized consultations; to give away gifts with every purchase

Creative task No. 2

“From success to failure is one step; from failure to success is a long road.” Discuss what this proverb means. State your opinion on the topic.

Walt Disney

Here is my favorite quotation by Alexander Graham Bell: “When one door closes, another one opens.” It teaches us to never give up and always keep pursuing our goals. I am absolutely sure there is no problem that cannot be solved. I always say that if one door closes and another one does not open, look for a window. What I am trying to say is that no matter how difficult things appear to be, it is always possible to find a solution. If great people had given up when faced with a challenge, they would have never achieved success in life. Those who are persistent always overcome obstacles and keep going despite setbacks. This is how the world works.

One of the best examples of persistence is the real story of Walt Disney, an American business tycoon, animator, and film producer. What associations do you have when you hear Walt Disney’s name? I guess the first thing you think of is Disneyland or Disney cartoons. Unfortunately, few people know the true story behind Walt Disney. If you think he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, you are grossly mistaken. His path to success was full of challenges and failures. Here is what this amazing person once said:

All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all the troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me. You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.

Are you ready to step into the world of Walt Disney?

Walt Disney was born on December 5, 1901, to a poor family in Chicago, Illinois. Besides him, his parents had four other children. His father, Elias, worked as a farmer, contractor, and entrepreneur, and his mother, Flora, was a housewife and took care of the kids. When Walt was about 6 years old, his family moved to Marceline, Missouri, where his father bought a farm. As a child, Disney enjoyed being around animals and became interested in drawing. Little Walt had a vivid imagination, and his drawings were wholly admirable. He practiced drawing by copying works of a famous cartoonist Ryan Walker. One day, Walt drew a cow on the wall of his parents’ house. The picture was so impressive and unusual that their neighbor Dr. Sherwood approached him with a request to draw a sketch of his horse. That is how Walt earned his first money. I think that circumstance played a significant role in shaping Walt Disney’s future as an artist and animator. Curiously, despite his relatively short time in Marceline, Walt thought of that place as his hometown and talked about his time on the farm with passion and great warmth.

In 1911, the Disneys moved to Kansas City, Missouri, for better opportunities, and Walt completely fell in love with trains. Everything turned out the way that it was supposed to. If Walt’s family hadn’t moved to Kansas City, the world might not have seen Disneyland. The point is that Walt lived not far from Electric Park, one of the amusement and leisure parks in Kansas City. Believe it or not, it was a marvel of its time. It boasted a great deal of entertainment: band concerts, a roller-coaster, a carousel, fountains, and, of course, a steam train that moved around the park. At night, it was beautifully illuminated with electric lights. There is no doubt that the imaginative boy was delighted with this innovation and went there whenever possible.

Unfortunately, Walt’s childhood was not like a fairy tale, but that did not stop him from achieving great success. According to many sources, his father, Elias, was a harsh man with his own parenting style that did not involve any playtime, games, or toys for his children. Instead, he encouraged his kids to work at an early age. So, Walt and his brother Roy, who was his best ally and friend, worked at a railroad selling snacks, candy, and soda to passengers. Apart from that, the boys delivered newspapers before and after school. Since Walt’s father kept all of the money the boy earned, he had to do some odd jobs but kept it a secret. It was so exhausting that Walt would often fall asleep in class and receive poor grades. Despite the challenges he had to face as a young boy, he did not give up and always made time for art. In high school, Walt attended Saturday courses at the Kansas City Art Institute and took a correspondence course in drawing cartoons. When Walt was 16, his family moved to Chicago. While in Chicago, Walt took night classes at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts (today it is called the Art Institute of Chicago). His talent was soon discovered at school, and Walt became the cartoonist for the school newspaper. Tired of living under one roof with his stern father, he followed the example of his three older brother, who moved out of their parents’ house at their first opportunity. He dropped out of school to join the army, but he was rejected for being underage (Walt was 16 then). The would-be entrepreneur did not give up and tried again. He cheated a bit and forged his birth date. It all turned out well for him. He was sent to France as an ambulance driver for the Red Cross. At the age of 18, Walt returned to Kansas City with the goal of becoming a newspaper artist. His brother Roy helped him get a job at an art studio where he created ads for newspapers and magazines. There, he met his lifelong friend named Ub Iwerks. Unfortunately, the company’s business was not booming, and both artists were dismissed. However, everything was for the best. The two friends decided to start their own studio. They were both excited and determined to succeed, but their business was short-lived and doomed to fail. So, they soon had to seek work elsewhere.

I think it is essential to emphasize that each entrepreneur has their highs and lows at some point. Many business owners say that experiencing failure and rejection can be really useful. Strangely enough, the more rejections you have, the more experienced you become. Walt thought of his numerous failures as stepping stones to success and personal growth. This may come as a surprise to you, but Walt Disney was fired because his newspaper editor thought that he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” It sounds like a joke, right?

All the while, Walt struggled to make ends meet, had to live with his friends, and often went without food. Friedrich Nietzsche, the German philosopher, famously said: “That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” And that is absolutely true. Walt turned all his failures into opportunities. He learned from his own mistakes, drew conclusions, and moved on.

In 1921, Walt Disney set up his first animation studio called Laugh-O-Gram, which produced short cartoons based on popular fairy tales and children’s stories. Though the shorts were popular with audiences, they did not provide enough income as the costs exceeded the returns. So, the company eventually went bankrupt in 1923, and Walt had to start from scratch again. He left Kansas City for Hollywood with 40 dollars in his pocket. His brother Roy had already moved to California. On October 16, 1923, Walt and his brother founded the Disney Brothers Cartoon Studio (later known as the Walt Disney Company). Finally, fortune smiled upon him. Soon enough, Walt invited his friend Ub Iwerks to join them and offered him a job. The next life-changing event was meeting the ink artist Lillian Bounds. They married in 1925.

In 1927, Disney and Iwerks created an animated cartoon character named Oswald the Lucky Rabbit for Universal Studios. The project was a success, and Oswald captured the hearts of audiences around the world. But guess what? Walt Disney lost the rights to the character in a dispute with his business partner over a contract. However, there has been much speculation around that story. Some say that Oswald could not be stolen from Walt because he didn’t own the character. All rights belonged to Universal Pictures. All in all, Walt made a decision to create another character to replace Oswald. So, the world learned about Mickey Mouse. Surely, perseverance can pay off.

Walt Disney’s life was not easy. He was fired, went bankrupt, was rejected more than 300 times, but he always believed in his dream and kept on going. Walt Disney is an example of persistence and perseverance. He died on December 15, 1966, but he will always be remembered as a winner. And that is Walt Disney’s real-life story of success and overcoming great obstacles, to put it in a nutshell.

Vocabulary

pursue one’s goal [pərˈsuː wʌnz ɡəʊl] – стремиться к цели, преследовать цель

persistent [pərˈsɪstənt] – упорный, настойчивый

setback [ˈsetbæk] – неудача

tycoon [taɪˈkuːn] – магнат

be born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth [bi: bɔːrn wɪð ə ˈsɪlvər spuːn ɪn wʌnz maʊθ] – родиться с серебряной ложкой во рту, родиться в богатой семье

admirable [ˈædmərəbl] – замечательный, восхитительный, очаровательный

amusement park [əˈmjuːzmənt ˌpɑːrk] – парк развлечений

harsh [hɑːrʃ] – суровый, жесткий, строгий

underage [ˈʌndəreɪdʒ] – несовершеннолетний

dismiss [dɪˈsmɪs] – увольнять

short-lived [ˌʃɔːrt ˈlɪvd] – недолговечный, мимолетный

rejection [rɪˈdʒekʃn] – отказ, неприятие

stepping stone [ˈstepɪŋ stəʊn] – трамплин, ступенька на пути

draw a conclusion [drɔː ə kənˈkluːʒn] – сделать вывод

perseverance [ˌpɜːrsəˈvɪrəns] – настойчивость, упорство

in a nutshell [ɪn ə ˈnʌtʃel] – кратко, в двух словах

Exercises

Exercise 1. Answer the following questions:

1) Who was Walt Disney?

2) What associations do you have when you hear Walt Disney’s name?

3) What kind of relationship did Walt have with his father?

4) How would you characterize Walt Disney?

5) Who was Walt’s best friend and ally?

6) Why was Walt Disney fired from his first job as a newspaper artist?

7) How did Walt treat his failures?

8) Why did his first animation studio called Laugh-O-Gram go bankrupt?

9) When was the Walt Disney Company founded?

Exercise 2. Find the equivalents of the following phrases in the text:

не бывает неразрешимых проблем; всегда можно найти решение; это обстоятельство сыграло важную роль в формировании будущего; все сложилось так, как и должно было сложиться; мальчик с богатым воображением; его не приняли, поскольку он был несовершеннолетним; он считал свои многочисленные неудачи ступенями на пути к успеху и личностному росту

Exercise 3. Give the Russian equivalents of the following phrases:

his business wasn’t booming; his business was doomed to fail; highs and lows; the costs exceeded the returns; the company went bankrupt; to start from scratch; a life-changing event; to make ends meet; fortune smiled upon him; an example of persistence and perseverance; you are grossly mistaken

Creative task No. 3

In your opinion, what are the most important qualities of a successful entrepreneur?

Elon Musk

I think every schoolkid can tell who Elon Musk is, but not everyone knows what his path to success looked like. This chapter tells a fascinating story of a man whose great inventions are changing the world. Elon Musk is a world-renowned entrepreneur, investor, and innovator who has achieved tremendous success throughout his career. The iconic businessman is the mastermind behind Tesla Motors, PayPal, and SpaceX. He is also famous for monumental advancements in futuristic technology such as renewable energy and space travel. When I read his biography, I developed even greater respect for this remarkably charismatic man.

Elon Musk was born on June 28, 1971, in Pretoria, South Africa. His father, Errol Musk, is an engineer, and his mother, Maye Musk, is a Canadian-born model and nutritionist. Elon is the oldest child in the family. He has two siblings named Kimball and Tosca. There has always been much speculation around his family income. According to some sources, Elon’s father owned half of an emerald mine based in Zambia, and the family lived in luxury. Curiously, the head of SpaceX denies the rumors about the fabulous income of his family. According to him, he did not come from a highly affluent family, and his father’s emerald business collapsed. Here is what Elon Musk once tweeted:

He [father] didn’t own an emerald mine, and I worked my way through college, ending up with [around] 100 thousand dollars in student debt.

I suppose, in this manner, Elon Musk aims to prove his success without his father’s support. And that is absolutely true. First, he had a strained relationship with his father (which we are going to talk about next). Second, not all children of wealthy people who inherit their businesses succeed in their careers. On the contrary, things sometimes go south, and they lose everything their parents worked hard for. Third, it is obvious that Musk is a talented inventor and a tireless innovator who is committed to improving the future of humanity. After all, it is no wonder that many call this exceptional entrepreneur a modern-day genius and “Iron man” (Musk became the inspiration for Tony Stark in Marvel movies). I have no doubt that the future belongs to this brilliant person!

Elon had a tough childhood. His parents divorced when he was still a kid. After the divorce of his parents, Musk first lived with his mother and siblings. They were very poor, wore second-hand clothes, and had modest meals. Although Maye’s salary was barely enough to make ends meet, she showed by example how important it was to be independent and responsible. For the record, she was a single mother raising her children and working five jobs. Maye was a good mother who surrounded her kids with boundless love and care. After a while, Elon moved in with his father, which he later regretted. They had a complicated relationship. According to Elon’s mother, Errol was a manipulator and abuser. In his interview with Rolling Stone, Elon Musk said with tears in his eyes:

My dad was such a terrible human being, you have no idea. My dad will have a carefully thought-out plan of evil. He will plan evil. Almost every crime you can possibly think of, he has done. Almost every evil thing you could possibly think of, he has done. It’s so terrible, you can’t believe it.

Elon insists that his father is good at making life miserable. The boy was forced to live under one roof with his harsh father for quite a long time. According to Musk, his father was abusive and never believed in him. I think that the things he learned as a child really helped him become the person he is today: incredibly intelligent, resourceful, fearless in the face of risk, and purposeful. When the boy was 12, his father sent him to a survival wilderness camp where children were given small portions of water and food and encouraged to fight over them. As a result, the older kids hit the younger ones and took their food from them. For Elon, it was a real test of survival and psychological torture.

While staying at home, Elon spent most of his time reading to distract himself and minimize communication with his father. They say that Musk was a real bookworm: he could read two books a day. He once said: “I was raised by books. Books, and then my parents.” Since he had a photographic memory, he quickly memorized vast amounts of information and could easily recite everything he had read. Over time, the nickname “know-it-all” stuck to him. Admittedly, Elon did not get along with his peers. He felt like an outsider and was often bullied.

One day, little Elon saw a computer for the first time at one of the shopping malls in Johannesburg. It was love at first sight. At that moment, he knew he would do whatever it took to get it. Luckily, he managed to persuade his father to buy this “miracle machine.” Elon did not waste any time. The brilliant child independently mastered popular programming languages from books and created a space-themed game called Blastar. Surprisingly, Musk found a buyer and sold it for 500 dollars. Just think: the boy was 12 years old then! And it was just the beginning.

In 1989, Elon Musk finally went to Canada to apply for Queen’s University, Ontario. As his mother was born in Canada, he was able to get his Canadian citizenship in a few months. Initially, he had to share a room with five roommates in a youth hostel. Two years later, he transferred to the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned bachelor’s degrees in two fields: physics and economics. Then, Musk moved to California to pursue a Ph.D. in energy physics at Stanford University, but he left the program after just two days to focus on business.

Elon Musk’s first business venture was Zip2, a software company he co-founded in 1995. It provided and licensed online city guide software to newspapers and was eventually sold to Compaq for 307 million dollars in 1999. From that moment on, Musk was destined to succeed. Some of Elon Musk’s most notable business ventures include:

• SpaceX – Musk founded the company to help reduce space transportation costs and promote the colonization of Mars. Today, SpaceX is one of the top five most valuable private companies in the world.

• Tesla, Inc. – Musk invested 70 million dollars in Tesla’s electric car startup in 2004 and headed the company’s board of directors. Later, he became CEO and product architect. Under his leadership, Tesla has become the leading manufacturer of electric vehicles.

• Neuralink – the company was founded by Elon Musk and a team of seven scientists and engineers. It aims to develop a neurochip – the implantable device that can record and transmit brain signals to external devices, such as computers, smartphones, or tablets. Musk hopes that the product will help those with severe brain injuries caused by stroke or cancer.

• The Boring Company (also known as TBC) – the company aims to reduce traffic congestion through the construction of underground tunnels.

In addition to these major companies, Musk has also been involved in other businesses and philanthropic initiatives. His innovative approach to business and technology as well as his outstanding efficiency have made him one of the most influential entrepreneurs and the richest people in the world. For the record, Musk is notoriously known for being a hard worker who gets very little sleep. He once said: “There are way easier places to work, but nobody ever changed the world on 40 hours a week.” Do you get the point? Musk is trying to say that long work hours are necessary to change the world.

Vocabulary

mastermind [ˈmæstərmaɪnd] – идейный вдохновитель, руководитель

invention [ɪnˈvenʃn] – изобретение

monumental [ˌmɑːnjuˈmentl] – монументальный, колоссальный, огромный

advancement [ədˈvænsmənt] – достижение, прогресс, развитие

renewable energy [rɪˈnuːəbl ˈenərdʒi] – возобновляемый источник энергии

exceptional [ɪkˈsepʃənl] – выдающийся, незаурядный, исключительный

nutritionist [nuˈtrɪʃənɪst] – диетолог

affluent [ˈæfluənt] – богатый

survival [sərˈvaɪvl] – выживание

torture [ˈtɔːrtʃər] – пытка, мука

memorize [ˈmeməraɪz] – запоминать

recite [rɪˈsaɪt] – повторять наизусть вслух

know-it-all [ˈnəʊ ɪt ɔːl] – всезнайка

get along [get əˈlɔːŋ] – ладить

persuade [pərˈsweɪd] – убеждать, уговаривать

electric vehicle [ɪˈlektrɪk ˈviːəkl] – электромобиль

congestion [kənˈdʒestʃən] – пробка, затор

Exercises

Exercise 1. Answer the following questions:

1) Who is Elon Musk?

2) What is Elon Musk famous for?

3) What do his parents do?

4) Did he come from a rich family?

5) What was Elon Musk’s childhood like?

6) What was Elon’s relationship with his peers like?

7) How does Elon Musk feel about his father now as an adult?

8) How old was Elon Musk when he made his first money?

9) What is his educational background?

10) What are some of Elon Musk’s notable businesses?

Exercise 2. Find the equivalents of the following phrases in the text:

вокруг доходов его семьи всегда ходило множество слухов; у него были натянутые отношения с отцом; иногда все идет наперекосяк; она была матерью-одиночкой, воспитывающей детей и работающей на пяти работах; отец отправил его в лагерь по выживанию; у него была фотографическая память; он чувствовал себя чужаком; ему пришлось делить комнату с пятью соседями в хостеле

Exercise 3. Give the Russian equivalents of the following phrases:

his father is good at making life miserable; an innovator who has achieved tremendous success throughout his career; he denies the rumors about the fabulous income of his family; he had a tough childhood; her salary was barely enough to make ends meet; he didn’t get along with his peers; he spent most of his time reading to distract himself and minimize communication with his father

Creative task No. 4

“Success has many fathers, but failure is an orphan.” Discuss what this proverb means. State your opinion on the topic.

Jeff Bezos

What character traits should a person possess to become a successful entrepreneur? First, people who reach great heights always have clear-cut goals. Second, all of them are self-motivated and persistent. Third, influential entrepreneurs are commonly risk takers who always believe in themselves. They look for opportunities where others see obstacles. I can continue this list forever. However, some people insist that good entrepreneurs are simply born with certain talents and extraordinary abilities or have superior intelligence. In my opinion, success comes to those who are not afraid of taking risks. It is a simple truth. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and one of the richest people in the world, is more than just a risk taker; he is a visionary. Just imagine that he quit his well-paid steady job at an investment bank to set up his business in the garage of a rented home. I think you’ll agree that not everyone is courageous enough to do so.

Jeffrey Preston Bezos (surname at birth – Jorgenson) was born on January 12, 1964, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His mother, Jacklyn, was under 18 when she gave birth to Jeff. Her love with Ted, the boy’s father, was short-lived, and the couple divorced when Jeff was still a baby. Luckily, Jackie soon met Miguel (Mike) Bezos, who officially adopted Jeff and raised him as his own son. The family moved to Houston, Texas, where Mike became an engineer for the American oil and gas company Exxon. As the story goes, he immigrated to the United States from Cuba at a young age and built a successful career in the oil industry. Bezos’ stepfather was also instrumental in helping him grow as a person. After all, he knew how to succeed in life, not by hearsay but by experience. He was the one who instilled in Jeff the value of hard work, persistence, and resilience. Overall, he taught him important life lessons and shaped his drive for success. Another significant figure in Bezos’ life was his maternal grandfather, Lawrence Preston Gise, who served as the regional director of the AEC (Atomic Energy Commission) in Albuquerque until his retirement. Curiously, he also worked on space technology and missile defense systems for the DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency). No wonder Gise instilled in his grandson the passion for intellectual challenge. According to Jeff Bezos, his grandfather was almost his third parent, and he learnt a lot from him. As a child, he enjoyed spending time with him at his ranch in Texas “in the middle of nowhere.” Since they were far from civilization, when something stopped working, his granddad would fix everything himself: make medical needles, look after their livestock, build houses, and so forth. Whatever he did, he did it well. He lived by the principle: if there is a problem, there is a solution. His grandfather’s self-reliance made a lasting impression on young Bezos. According to Jeff, his grandfather was a real problem-solver: resourceful and self-reliant.

Overall, Jeff showed an early interest in technology and entrepreneurship. Having timely noticed his talents, the boy’s parents motivated him to convert their garage into a laboratory for his science projects. Bezos was all about science and technology, but he also loved literature and was an avid reader. It may come as a surprise to you, but he started his first business, the Dream Institute, when he was still a teenager. It was an educational summer camp for kids (especially for fourth, fifth, and sixth graders). There were some books that Bezos required them to read. His main goal was to promote creative thinking in kids. As I see it, Bezos has always worked towards making the world a better place. Curiously, when Jeff was still in high school, he worked at McDonald’s during the breakfast shift. In my opinion, it was a useful experience. He learned a lot about effective teamwork and collaborating with other people. After high school, he began his undergraduate education at Princeton University, where he studied computer science and electrical engineering. There, he was known for his ability to think outside the box and exceptional problem-solving skills. Bezos graduated from Princeton University with honors in 1986.

After completing his education, Jeff Bezos started his career on Wall Street, working at various reputed companies, such as the multinational investment company D. E. Shaw & Co. In 1993, Jeff Bezos married MacKenzie Scott, and they had four children together: three sons and one adoptive daughter. After 25 years of marriage, the couple divorced. In 1994, Bezos made a life-changing decision. He quit his promising job to set up an online bookstore, which would eventually become the greatest e-commerce empire known as Amazon. He moved to Seattle and started his new company in his garage. He was passionate about his new idea and felt it in his bones that he would succeed. First, he recognized the potential of the internet as a platform for commerce. Second, he dreamed of creating a new, more efficient way for people to shop. Besides, Bezos was a real risk taker. His only problem was a lack of money. Fortunately, his parents, Jackie and Mike, believed in him and invested in his startup. They lent him about 245 thousand dollars, which was a considerable sum. That was a life-changing decision, indeed.

Bezos managed to revolutionize the way people shopped for goods. In 1994, Bezos founded Amazon. The name was chosen after the Amazon River, the biggest river on the planet. They say, as you name the boat, so shall it float. Amazon has become the world’s largest online marketplace. Today, it sells not only books but everything you need: toys, games, appliances, electronic devices, etc. This is a customer-focused company with a wide choice of goods, low prices, and convenient delivery options. In 1998, Jeff Bezos became one of Google’s first investors, becoming a billionaire just one year later. His parents were also rewarded for their faith in him: they now have an impressive net worth.

In 2000, Jeff Bezos founded a private aerospace company called Blue Origin. In simple terms, it’s a commercial space tourism company. Overall, its main goal is to create a future where millions of people live and work in space. But that’s not everything. In 2013, Jeff Bezos also purchased The Washington Post.

In my opinion, Bezos’ unwavering self-confidence, farsightedness, the courage to take risks, and outstanding intellectual abilities helped him reach great heights in business.