CnBSeen #Rehash: Entrepreneurial Motivation

Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do. – Pele

What does a Businessman/Engineer, Bag Designer/Manufacturer, and a former professional athlete turned high-performance gym owner all have in common? They all have a story to tell, and did they tell at our last CnBSeen. Motivation is also another common denominator between these three and a key component to what it takes to run any business in today’s competitive market. So, what does it take to be successful? Caine Finnerty, Yardon Brantley and Wendy Downs shared with our audience how their businesses came to fruition and what driving factor is that keeps them showing up day after day.

• Caine Finnerty is the President and CEO of WATT Fuel Cell. He’s been in the fuel cell industry for 20 years and started WATT in 2010. Caine’s background allowed him to figure out a way to work on a technology he is very passionate about and break the industry mold by creating a more commercialy-viable way to manufacture fuel cells. This passion is what got him started and working with a team that is equally passionate is what keeps him going.
• The President of SHAPE Training, Yardon Brantley, doesn’t just run one of the toughest gyms in Pittsburgh, he empowers you to achieve your goals. A SHAPE workout is more about understanding what you can do, rather than just you are doing in the moment. Yardon has applied this same philosophy to his business. After working for another, much larger brand, he decided to take a chance on his own hard work, perseverance and desire to help people make progress. Sometimes two steps backwards, really does help move you forward.
• Establised in 2007 by Wendy Downs, Moop Shop hand manufactures bags out of their boutique space in downtown Pittsburgh. Wendy was driven by a desire to have a connection to people who make the things we love. For her, the people behind the product are more than just workers, they are the face of the company. When you visit Moop, you will see people sewing, making and designing. This transparency and connection is Wendy’s driving force.

Finding passion and being driven to push through obstacles is a solid recipe for success. These entrepreneurs have done just that. We were inspired, and hope you were too.