What Success Looks Like: Not  All Business Paths Are the Same

What does success look like for others? Is there just one unique path to achieving business success in the state of Nebraska? 

We often believe that to become a successful entrepreneur, we must follow the same steps as others, but this is a complete lie!

In this Midwest Mindset episode, Shane Harrington from Club Omaha joins Matt Tompkins to discuss his success story and how he overcame, against all odds, all the challenges along the way. 

What Success Looks Like in Nebraska

What Success Looks Like for a Business Owner

Did you know that, of the roughly 32 million companies in the United States, only 6% of them are ever going to reach $1 million in revenue? 

Of course, success is not only measured by money but also in happiness and satisfaction with your occupation, but it’s sure nice to have a million dollars, or more, in revenue. 

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For Shane Harrington, success meant breaking everybody’s expectations of what an entrepreneur was, redefining the industry, and finding happiness in what he did. 

Success for business owners comes in different shapes and colors, and there’s no set-in-stone way to achieve it. 

Shane Harrington’s History 

For Shane Harrington, success came a little differently. Operating in the adult industry, a realm that still carries a taboo for many, has presented its fair share of challenges.

You see, Shane’s childhood wasn’t all that easy, with no one believing in him; in fact, it was quite the opposite. He even got voted most likely to go to prison in a school.

Growing up, Shane was led to believe that success only came by following the established path – going to college, doing things by the book, and settling for a modest business. 

However, he soon realized that life had much more to offer and that this path isn’t for all; that there are other protocols and ways to achieve triumph and make money.

Club Omaha Shane Harrington

The First Million

One of Shane’s biggest blessings was also one of the scariest moments of their business life. 

The story begins with his ex-wife posting spicy pictures on an adult website, with his help, of course. 

This was going great; he had the money and the comfort he needed at the moment; however, when his ex-wife published a nude picture in a bar, this really started to go south.

As you can imagine, this caused quite a stir, and the citizens of Lincoln tried to find her for public nudity. At that moment, it may have seemed like everything was falling apart.

The Beginning of Club Omaha

Amidst the chaos and controversy, something incredible happened: people started calling left and right, eager to get an interview with Shane and to see more content. 

This was the turning point, the spark that started it all. From this point on, Shane decided that it was time to start his entrepreneurial journey and continue down the path of adult content. 

Soon, with his newfound success, he was quick to achieve his first million dollars in this business. The rest is history. 

Make the News

If we can learn something from Shane’s history, it’s that success can come when you least expect it and being prepared to seize the momentum is crucial. 

For Shane, this meant understanding how to navigate the attention his case was receiving in the media.

So, how can you make the news? What guarantees visibility and recognition?

Sex Sells

While it may not be suitable for every business, Shane’s experience in the adult industry demonstrated that tapping into a controversial or taboo subject can generate attention. 

Nebraska Business success

Go Against the Grain

To truly stand out and make headlines, businesses often need to think outside the box and challenge the status quo.

Stand Out

Differentiating yourself from the competition is critical for gaining visibility. Whether it’s through innovative products or services, exceptional customer experiences, or a compelling brand story, finding ways to stand out will make you more newsworthy.

You don’t need to be as wild and out there as Shane; this is what worked for him; the important thing to make the news is to shine a light on the attributes of a business that make it different from the rest. 

What Success Looks Like When Delegating

What makes a successful and long lasting business? How can you make sure that your initial success only keeps growing?

Shane learned that delegation was an essential part of business success.  This means finding, training, and working with people who are the best at what they do.

You want the best players you can find for your team, but it’s not just about their skills. It’s about how well they work together. 

You know what they say, “Teamwork makes the dream work.” Your team is everything; they will be the ones to do the tasks you don’t have time for, and you want to make sure they do them right.

Remember, success doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, effort, and a great team to build a business that lasts. 

So, focus on finding the right people to delegate to, treating them well, and working together towards your goals. That’s the real secret to a lasting business.

Shane Harrington and Two Brothers creative_ success in business

What Success Looks Like When Changing the Industry

One of the keys to becoming a successful entrepreneur in Nebraska, or everywhere else, is not just doing good business but having a motivation and a desire to help and change for the better. 

Shane harbored a vision: to transform the industry into a better place for all women who were a part of it, a safe space where they are now able to work, earn good money, achieve their careers and dreams, and invest in their future and their lives. 

Learn Everything

To truly be a successful leader and entrepreneur, you need a comprehensive understanding of the industry. This meant learning about every role, every process, and every challenge.

From entry-level positions to top management, Shane sought to understand the intricacies of everyone’s work. He observed, asked questions, and learned from the best in the business.

The goal is to gain insight into the operations of the industry. After all, how could he lead effectively without fully understanding his industry?

Authenticity in Marketing being creative

What Success Looks Like for You: We Are Ready to Help

Ready to achieve business success with great marketing? We are here to help you craft the perfect business visibility and success strategy.

Download our free  6-step Marketing Plan pdf. 

The Easy Box

On a budget? Don’t Worry! With the Easy Box, you give us only 30 minutes of your time, and we give you 30 days’ worth of content. 

Forget all about long hours and marketing failure; this is marketing made easy.