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

Research Center Events

— 9/22/2010

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](/experience-stern/about/departments-centers-initiatives/centers-of-research/berkley-center).

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

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Find out about other upcoming events hosted by the Berkley Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation](/experience-stern/about/departments-centers-initiatives/centers-of-research/berkley-center/events)