Hungry?

“Because you’re hungry.”

Hungry may not be the adjective that pops up when asked to describe a young entrepreneur, but it is right on the mark for Howard Greenberg. Oxford Dictionary apparently considers hungry an attribute (“attrib.] causing hunger.” (Oxford Dictionary) A newbie in the field of photography in the early 70s, Greenberg—ironic as it may sound—fed his gigantic appetite with ravenous hunger. And lucky for him, he wasn’t the only one to interpret his hunger pangs as unmitigated enthusiasm. Greenberg’s first employer hired him for just that reason.

It doesn’t take an Einstein to recognize the need for hunger as a driving force to success. But the way in which Greenberg highlighted that need sure scores him high in the intelligence ranks, albeit street smart savvy if nothing else. The now-famous “art gallery tycoon” Howard Greenberg very poignantly relayed the story of his own success, starting with his very humble beginnings in NYC’s Soho artist colony. He described his first 150 square foot art gallery, the long hours he put in, and hard, authentic work he invested—but as he spoke, he kept reverting to the same key word: enthusiasm. By enthusiasm he didn’t mean any plain old eagerness or greed for money. Because every young kid starting out wants to make a buck. By enthusiasm he meant hunger. And by hunger he meant having an appetite for your work.

Howard Greenberg is one man who tells the story of how he set up shop young and determined, but he is just one of many who have succeeded because they have willed themselves to chase their dreams. Good luck!