Page 266 - James Caan - The Real Deal

The Real Deal

hotel. I’d been nominated for it in 2000 and I saw these kinds of
events as a good night out and a chance to network. That year
Hanah and Jemma were both free so the three of us went together,
and it was only when I looked at the invitation that I realised I had
been nominated once again. As someone who no longer had a
career, I didn’t expect to win so we went along just to enjoy
ourselves.
There were several awards given out that night celebrating
success in every sector of the economy but the main award was left
until the end of the night. By the time it was announced I was deep
in conversation with someone on our table when Jemma tapped
my arm.
‘Dad, you’ve won!’
I turned round to see my face projected on to a big screen and
everyone in the room looking at me. I was so shocked that I can’t
remember what I said. I had won a few awards before, but this
one was really quite prestigious.
Afterwards, I got talking to one of the panel members who had
decided I should be the recipient and I asked him why they had
chosen me.
‘In the end, there were two reasons. The first was that you’re a
serial entrepreneur. You’ve proved that you didn’t just get lucky
and that you can replicate success time and again. A lot of
successful entrepreneurs only ever start one business.’
I thought that was interesting and was curious to hear the
second reason.
‘You’ve also exited those businesses. Again, a lot of successful
entrepreneurs don’t exit their businesses, and, if they do, the
businesses often fail without them. You demonstrated that you
could create value that didn’t rely on your presence.’
It was all very flattering but, of course, the conversation turned
to what I would be doing next because ‘everyone is interested to
see what you’re going to get up to’.

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