Marcus Richards
Running a successful business is an overwhelming process. Between reaching more customers and keeping your employees motivated, it’s easy to lose sight of why you became an entrepreneur. You might even feel like giving up and starting a new venture.
In such situations, it can be helpful to take inspiration from people who’ve overcome insurmountable obstacles and reached new heights of success. Refael, aka Rafi, Edry’s life is a fine example of fighting all odds and turning things around.
Today, Refael Edry runs several thriving businesses in Israel and Africa with his brother, Eyal Edry and Moshe Edrei. But his journey to the top was filled with challenges. Nevertheless, his grit and resilience helped him rise against every odd.
Here are a few lessons from Refael Edry’s life that’ll inspire you during tough times:
Taking Control of Your Life
Refael Edry was born to a humble family in Safed. As the eldest of three brothers, he knew that his father’s earnings weren’t enough to make ends meet. That led him to start working at a young age.
But it’s worth noting that he never resigned to his fate. Instead, he worked hard to overcome financial difficulties and achieved his goal of living a better life. Today, he’s known worldwide as an accomplished businessman with a plethora of accolades and recognition.
Similarly, if you’re trying to grow your business, you’ll come across various hurdles. You might struggle to secure funding from investors to scale operations. Or your marketing campaigns and sales pipeline may not yield the desired results.
But when the going gets tough, it’s crucial that you don’t abandon your dreams. Instead, you have to focus on the silver lining and work your way around every crisis. As long as you keep at it, you’ll emerge victorious sooner than later.
Choosing the Right Role Model
When it comes to role models, you likely seek inspiration from visionary leaders like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs. But unlike most entrepreneurs, Rafi Edry’s hero is his brave uncle, Refael, who led Safed to freedom during Israel’s War of Independence.
As a warrior, Refael Edry z|l (the uncle) demonstrated exceptional courage throughout his life, from a raid on the village of Sasa to his eventual death during an enemy shelling in the Negev. He even hoisted the Israeli flag amidst incendiary flames after the enemy forces retreated from Safed.
Refael Edry (the nephew) has imbibed the qualities of courage, determination, and perseverance from the life of his fearless uncle. That, in turn, has helped him stay focused and motivated in adverse situations.
As a business leader, you need not look up to other entrepreneurs for motivation. Instead, you can seek inspiration from your coworkers, employees, friends, and family members. Learn from their experiences of overcoming adversities and accomplishing different goals.
Giving Back to the Community
Despite getting worldwide recognition as a successful entrepreneur, philanthropist Refael Edry believes all his achievements would be in vain if he didn’t contribute to the development of the community where he belongs. Having experienced financial difficulties first-hand, he knows what it’s like to curb one’s dreams due to a lack of resources.
That’s what compelled him to launch the Ahinoam Association for the Promotion of Equal Opportunities in 2018. Refael Edry and his younger brothers have launched various initiatives to nurture and support at-risk youth in the Israeli periphery.
From mentoring programs and scholarships to peripheral development projects, the Ahinoam Association is striving to create better opportunities for children from impoverished households.
When running an online apparel store or a consulting firm, it’s crucial that you work on the development of your local community. You can consider hosting donation drives or partnering with a non-profit organization to support their initiatives. Or you can offer financial support to students from low-income families.
As the community grows and prospers, it’ll create more opportunities for you to expand your business and attract more customers. Also, it’ll help you earn goodwill and strengthen your brand reputation.
Embracing a Forward Thinking Mindset
At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Israeli government instructed schools to start online classes. But the authorities ignored the plight of more than 400,000 students who didn’t have personal computers or internet access at home.
Refael Edry and his brothers couldn’t stand the idea of depriving these children of the right to education for no fault of their own. So, instead of waiting for government aid, they sprung into action and launched a fundraising campaign. The initiative helped provide computers to thousands of children in Israel and helped them continue their education.
Similarly, it’s crucial for business leaders to predict the outcome of their decisions and identify problems before they spiral out of control. If you spot a problem early on, you can deploy the necessary solutions to avoid catastrophic consequences.
In Conclusion
While running a business is challenging, it’s also one of the most exhilarating experiences. Refael Edry’s story of rising against the odds can be just the motivation you need to take your business to greater heights. Focus on the larger picture and develop an eye for problem spotting. Also, make sure you work toward the upliftment of your community.
