Alan Sugar Quotes, Baron Sugar, born March 24, 1947, in Hackney, London, is a British businessman, entrepreneur, and television personality, best known for founding Amstrad, a consumer electronics company, and starring as the host of BBC’s The Apprentice (2005–present). Starting his career selling car aerials from a van at age 16, Sugar built a business empire, with Amstrad peaking at a £1.2 billion valuation. Knighted in 2000 and appointed to the House of Lords in 2009, he’s also known for his blunt style and philanthropy. These 15 quotes—sourced from interviews, his books (What You See Is What You Get, 2010; The Way I See It, 2011), public statements, and posts on X—reflect his insights on business, success, leadership, and resilience, capturing his no-nonsense grit and East End roots.
15 Alan Sugar Quotes
- “Don’t start telling me that you’re brilliant at something when you’ve never done it. Show me the proof.” (What You See Is What You Get, 2010)
- “I have principles and I am not going to be forced to compromise them.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I don’t like liars, I don’t like cheats. I don’t like bullshitters. And I don’t like people who don’t deliver.” (The Apprentice, BBC, 2008)
- “If you’re lazy, you’re going to get nowhere in life. Hard work is the only way.” (Interview, The Telegraph, 2011)
- “There is a pattern to my business career. I take a failing company and make it successful, or I start something from nothing and make it a success.” (What You See Is What You Get, 2010)
- “In business, you have to be tough. You can’t let emotions get in the way of decisions.” (The Way I See It, 2011)
- “I don’t make enemies, it’s just I’m not afraid to speak my mind, which can sometimes mean people don’t like what I am saying.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “You can’t teach experience—you’ve got to go out and get it yourself.” (The Apprentice, BBC, 2010)
- “Money is all right, but it’s not what life is about. It’s about achievement and recognition.” (Interview, The Guardian, 2013)
- “I’ve got no academic qualifications, but I’ve got a PhD in street smarts.” (What You See Is What You Get, 2010)
- “Business is about spotting a gap in the market and having the guts to fill it.” (The Way I See It, 2011)
- “If you don’t take risks, you’ll never know what you could have achieved.” (Post on X, @Lord_Sugar, 2024-03-24)
- “The only people who never fail are those who never try. Failure is just a lesson on the way to success.” (Interview, Forbes, 2015)
- “Leadership is about making decisions, not making friends. If you want to be liked, get a dog.” (The Apprentice, BBC, 2012)
- “Stay focused, stay hungry, and don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do.” (Interview, Evening Standard, 2019)
Alan Sugar’s quotes are a fiery blend of street-smart wisdom, relentless drive, and unapologetic candor, inspiring entrepreneurs to take risks, work hard, and stay true to their vision. Which quote sparks your business hustle? Drop it in the comments and keep Sugar’s entrepreneurial legacy thriving!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
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