The Myth of Height in the Business World: A Journey from Quora to Success

Recently, while browsing Quora, I stumbled upon a thought-provoking question: 'I'm a 20-year-old man and my dream is to own a company one day but I’m 5′7.5″ tall. Do you think height is a requirement in the business industry?' The question resonated with me, as it made me reflect on my own journey in the business world. From 1977 to around 1996, I owned and operated five different successful businesses, often concurrently. This experience gave me a unique insight into what makes a business thrive, and more importantly, that height isn't a limiting factor in success.

Empirical Evidence of Success: Personal Experiences

Over the years, I have known and interacted with numerous successful businessmen and women, many of whom had varying heights. These experiences have led me to form a clear opinion: the key to success is not physical height, but a combination of hard work, strategy, and determination. Let me share an anecdote with you from my own life that exemplifies this idea.

A Successful Short Business Owner

One particularly memorable story involves a very short businessman I knew, who stood at about 5′2″ tall. He owned a dry cleaning business, a task that would seemingly require a certain level of height, considering that he often couldn't look over the counter when fetching customer items and giving receipts.

Interestingly, to make the business run more efficiently, he and his wife would stand on a box behind the counter to serve customers. This setup might seem difficult, but they managed to run a thriving operation with mostly self-service. After the business hours closed to the public, his wife (who was about 4′11″ tall) would assist in all the laundry and dry cleaning tasks. The man would inspect and clean each item of clothing manually, then they would use a special machine called a solvent finisher to loosen and remove soil from the garments.

Keeping the clothes neat and wrinkle-free required considerable effort, and for this, they had a large pressing apparatus. However, the standard height was unworkable, so they had to stand on a little box to use the press. Similarly, an ironing board was collapsible and could be lowered for their convenience.

Business Success and Personal Life

Despite the seemingly daunting nature of their setup, these two tiny people managed to run a successful business. They not only raised five children but also owned a beautiful home and drove a late-model sedan. This example does not only demonstrate that physical stature is not a hindrance to running a successful business but also challenges the myth that success is predetermined by external factors.

Lessons from Success Stories

From my observations and interactions, there are several key lessons that can be drawn regarding the pursuit of entrepreneurial success:

Hard Work and Dedication: Success in business often hinges on a relentless drive and a willingness to work tirelessly to achieve one's goals. Adaptability: Being able to adapt to different circumstances and find innovative solutions can be the difference between failure and success. Teamwork: Working with a dedicated team can significantly enhance the capabilities of a business, making it more efficient and effective.

The story of the dry cleaning business owner and his wife counters the narrative that height is a significant barrier to entrepreneurial success. It emphasizes that true success is achieved through a combination of hard work, adaptability, and a strong team. If you believe in your dream of owning a company, don't let your height or any physical limitation discourage you. With the right mindset and strategies, anything is possible!