Entrepreneur Robin Chase, Zipcar Founder, Shares Her Secrets of Success

On September 22, Robin Chase spoke candidly to an audience of aspiring entrepreneurs about how she grew Zipcar into the world’s largest car-sharing service. As part of the David & Rose Himelberg Speaker Series, the event was hosted by NYU Stern’s Berkley Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation.

She shared the following anecdotes and tips on how to launch a start-up:

• Being an entrepreneur is like being on a roller coaster; it’s scary but addictive
• When you have a bad idea, ditch it quickly
• Everyone is your free consultant when you’re starting a new business
• Start-ups can be nimble and change quickly, which is a huge advantage over large organizations
• Not learning from mistakes is a problem
• Challenge conventional wisdom if your intuition tells you to do so
• Engage your customers
• Exercise intellectual honesty
• Ideas are simple; implementation is the key to success
• Choose your staff wisely; select people who share your values and whom you trust and respect
• Luck is when preparation meets opportunity
• Bad things will happen; don’t take it personally

Find out about other upcoming events hosted by the Berkley Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation