Aristotle Onassis was one of the most successful, publicized, and vetted people in the world in the mid-20th century. Today, years after his death, he is remembered primarily as an ultra-rich shipping magnate, cruising the world on his magnificent yacht and for his romance with diva soprano Maria Callas and his marriage to Jacqueline. Kennedy. However, before he reached commercial and social heights, it was a very crude, uncultured work of art. His effort to change a bleak future is worth a look: and instructive as a teaching aid that anyone can use in the quest for success.
Onassis was born in Turkey to Greek parents. At the end of World War I, he, along with millions of others, was forced to accept refugee status and arrived in Argentina as a penniless immigrant. His Spanish was minimal, his education limited and the skills he offered were not highly regarded. However, he examined his circumstance realistically and with deep analysis. He recognized that out of the postwar chaos would emerge an opportunity for the agile and creative entrepreneur. Being broke was just an obstacle, not a closed door for Onassis.
As Onassis learned the ways of Argentine society and business, he noticed that there were specific clubs, restaurants, hotels, and theaters that were frequented almost exclusively by the successful business and political class. Always a keen observer of human nature, he realized that valuable contacts and friendships for an ambitious guy like him could only be fostered in this rarefied realm. Onassis was determined to find a way in.
He worked mundane jobs, including a stint as a telephone operator. However, he was different from his co-workers and other immigrants. He immersed himself in all things Argentina and saved every penny he earned that wasn’t needed for basic sustenance. Most importantly, he recognized the old saying; “the rich are different from you and me” was so true. He needed to emulate the rich in order to become rich. He never looked at successful people as the enemy. He had aspirations, not jealousy, in his heart.
Onassis became addicted to quality in all walks of life. While he was still poor, he saved every penny until he could buy a hand-cut suit from Saville Row. He only had a suit, but he was elegant. He also observed that the rich seemed healthier, happier. They seemed to sport tanned skin as a badge of his fortunate lifestyle. Onassis developed a lifelong addiction to the search for the perfect tan. His tan was internationally famous long before actor George Hamilton garnered similar fame. To this day, a tan is emblematic of the good life for the successful class.
Follow a Saville Row, quality personal furnishings and a tan that reeked of leisure and success were just the beginning. Onassis was still a rough cob. However, she believed in his final destiny. She had a drink every night at the bar of the Intercontinental Hotel in Buenos Aires, the best in the city. Just one drink, because that was all she could afford. He still worked as a telephone operator, but kept his parallel lives as a blue-collar worker and a status seeker sharply differentiated.
His nocturnal visits to the bar of the Intercontinental Hotel gradually lead him to build a network of business and social contacts. The famous Argentine soprano Claudia Musa was a frequent visitor to the hotel. She was an adored opera star and cultured beauty. Onassis was basically nobody and a fake. And yet he pursued the beautiful singer and with her usual tenacity won her heart. This drive to win would show itself in every area of his long and exciting life.
Onassis recognized that Argentine women preferred a type of sweet Turkish tobacco that was not widely available in South America. Using your newly found relationships; she negotiated an import deal for an inventory of tobacco. She raised the necessary capital to set up a small factory and began marketing various brands of Turkish cigarettes. This small, but successful deal was the foundation of her later international business prominence.
Onassis recognized that World War 11 was imminent. The movement of war materiel was going to be crucial for the Allies to win the war. Shipping would be very profitable if you could find an inventory of ships to buy. With usual enthusiasm, he found a small fleet of sturdy but well-used freighters in the San Lorenzo Channel and arranged a tight line of credit to purchase the motley flotilla. He was on his way to becoming the most famous shipping magnate in history.
Entrepreneurs, to be successful, often must change elements of their personal lifestyle. We’ve all heard the old adage, “success begets success.” No one practiced this truism more fully and instructively than Aristotle Onassis. He bought a high-quality suit. He shielded beautiful women. He went to the best clubs, although he couldn’t afford much more than a drink. He used his new surroundings, new contacts and network to benefit his single-minded pursuit of success. Why did Willy Sutton rob banks? Because that was where the money was! Onassis also made the elementary decision to hang out where the money was.
I work with entrepreneurs from all walks of life – no two are the same. One of the most difficult aspects of the entrepreneurial process to overcome is the need to adjust lifestyle. Today’s sacrifice will pay dividends tomorrow. Venture capital will generally not be found in a pool hall. The need to improve self-presentation and network continuously is paramount. You must be constantly closing the sale, improving your skills and totally focusing on achieving your goal.
Aristotle Onassis worked blue-collar jobs, spoke Spanish as a third language, was a displaced immigrant on a foreign continent, and had no personal assets. However, he organized a personal plan to overcome his obstacles and lead a life of legendary achievements.
I spend a significant amount of time in my marketing and funding consulting work advising inventors and entrepreneurs to overcome self-imposed obstacles. Some readily recognize the need to change habits and use parts of the Onassis template. They often have the ability to succeed. Many more, sadly, decide that they know better, the markets will suit their wishes, and a short cut to success can be taken. They always fail. This is an absolute observation.
Contact me to discuss this article, other topics related to business activities or a specific project. Geoff Ficke, 407 260 1127, www.DuquesaMarketing.com