At the recent Entrepreneur Level Up Conference, entrepreneurs from across the country gathered to gain strategies, inspiration and practical insights from a lineup of well-known successful entrepreneurs. I was honored to host the conference and partner with Entrepreneur.

One of the headliners, Robert Herjavec — investor, entrepreneur and star of Shark Tank — delivered a keynote packed with wisdom for founders navigating today's unpredictable business landscape.

Herjavec's insights were not abstract theories. They were hard-earned lessons forged in the trenches of entrepreneurship — lessons that spoke directly to the challenges and aspirations of the audience.

Here's a breakdown of his most impactful takeaways.

Related: Want to Be a Better Leader? Show Employees You Care.

Herjavec emphasized that opportunities rarely arrive neatly packaged. They often hide in conversations, questions or unexpected feedback.

"Every answer opens a door to opportunity," he said.

The message was clear: curiosity is a growth engine. Entrepreneurs who remain curious — asking questions and seeking insights — often discover pathways others overlook. Instead of dismissing a "no" or a difficult response, Herjavec urged attendees to look for the opportunity behind it. Sometimes, the follow-up question or the willingness to listen more deeply is what transforms rejection into possibility.

The myth of entrepreneurship often celebrates the "big idea" that transforms an industry overnight. But Herjavec reminded the audience that this is rarely the case.

"Most businesses evolve — they're rarely revolutions."

He explained that while breakthrough innovations........

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