Succeeding Against All Odds

By the OneCoach Team

This feature article is based on a portion of the OneCoach Expert Interview with Dave Anderson, an author and founder of Famous Dave's of America, the legendary barbecue franchise, and an investor in the Rainforest Cafe.

Dave Anderson embraces his failures as much as his successes. In a lifetime that could be painted with only the bright colors of success, he chooses to shed light on the parts of his experience that weren't as stellar.

A Native American, Anderson was disconnected and lost in high school, but jumped to action at the age of 19 when Zig Ziglar told him he could be a success. Since that fateful meeting, Anderson has gone from:

• Bankruptcy to founding three publicly traded companies and creating 18,000+ new jobs
• Academic underachievement to receiving a Master's degree from Harvard University—without getting an undergraduate degree
• Painful shyness to making countless public appearances
• Alcoholism to sobriety

Now, he's preparing to launch a $135 million resort for families called Key Lime Cove, that he promises will revolutionize the way America goes on vacation.

Dave's 'Secret Sauce' to Success

1) Never lose your vision.

The vision of your dream is vital. If you keep believing in your vision, it will manifest itself.
 
2) Commit to being the best of the best.

Average doesn't cut it. See yourself delivering the best product, being the best person and delivering the best service. That's how great people will fall in love with you and your product, and recommend you to others.
 
3) Make your adversities your friends.

So many people spend a lifetime running away from the problems and challenges of life. They never understand that it's through the adversities and struggles that they become wiser and stronger, able to grab the opportunities that present themselves.

Does Anderson's secret sauce work?

People thought Anderson was crazy when he opened Famous Dave's Barbecue Shack on the edge of an Indian reservation in Hayward, Wis., a tiny town with a population of 1,800.

However, he had done exhaustive research, using the best recipes he could find. Without advertising, Dave's attracted between 4,000 and 8,000 people a week to his first location, drawing clientele from Chicago, Minneapolis and Green Bay.

When Times are Tough

The road to ruin is paved with people who blame the economy, a business partner, a vendor. Not taking ownership and complaining create a negative impression, and people will avoid you.

Going through tough times with a positive attitude and a belief that you will prevail sets a standard. Remember: People are watching, and will take their cues from you.

Anderson remembers times when, to make payroll, his employees had to sweep the cash registers and run the money to the bank.

Today, Dave's will do over $400 million in sales, and continues to grow.

From 2004-2005, he ran the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs for a year. To take the governmental position, he had to sign away his involvement with his business interests. The year away took its toll: He lost $10 million on a new restaurant.

Overcoming the 'No's'

Even with all the success he has had, Anderson has to continue to pound the pavement to raise money. For Key Lime Cove, he needed to raise $135 million, and almost lost $130 million that had been committed because the last $5 million just wasn't coalescing.

Ironically, the $90 million were raised as debt, through 45 banks, and $45 million as equity. The easiest part was the banks; the hardest part was getting $50,000 to $500,000 from investors.

Even with his track record of starting a successful chain of restaurants, Anderson had to pound the pavement and hear hundreds of "No's" to get the final funding. It was the strength of his vision that pushed the project through.

That's the power of learning to believe in yourself and your vision.

Today, Anderson's company conducts training programs that help employees believe in themselves. He wants them to learn that they can succeed like he did. And you can too.