Howard Appel on the Mindset Every Entrepreneur Needs to Succeed

Howard Appel has spent more than four decades in the world of business, finance, and investment. From co-founding brokerage firms to launching multimillion-dollar companies, his journey is filled with lessons for today’s entrepreneurs. But Appel insists that true success isn’t about luck or timing—it’s about mindset.




Discipline Outranks Talent


According to Appel, talent might get you started, but discipline will keep you in the game. “Everyone has a great idea. The question is—can you wake up every day and execute it consistently, even when you don’t feel like it?” he explains. His ability to maintain this kind of discipline has been evident across a wide array of ventures, as noted in his ORCID profile, which outlines his lifelong work in business and investment strategy.



Learn to Listen Before You Speak



One of the core principles Appel teaches is active listening. Whether dealing with investors, employees, or partners, he says the ability to pause and understand the other side is often what prevents costly mistakes. “I never go into a meeting to sell—I go in to learn,” he states. His insights into emotional intelligence and effective leadership have been shared across platforms like Vocal Media, where Appel often reflects on what truly separates mediocre founders from extraordinary ones.



Stay Humble, No Matter How High You Rise



Having achieved incredible success—including taking over 50 companies public—Appel remains grounded. He attributes his humility to an early understanding that “every high comes with a test.” He often shares this lesson with younger entrepreneurs and aspiring leaders through candid talks and behind-the-scenes stories on his YouTube channel, where he emphasizes the importance of gratitude, reflection, and continued learning.



Final Thought



Howard Appel believes that while business strategies change with time, the mindset for success doesn’t. If you can stay disciplined, lead with humility, and commit to lifelong learning, you’re already ahead of the game.


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