Barry Sternlicht Quotes

Powerful Barry Sternlicht for Daily Growth

About Barry Sternlicht

Barry Sternlicht (born September 13, 1958) is an American business magnate, investor, and art collector who has made significant contributions to the real estate industry. Born in Queens, New York, Sternlicht demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit from a young age, selling newspapers and working various jobs throughout his teenage years. He attended Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration, where he honed his skills in hospitality management. Post-graduation, he worked for several hotel companies before joining Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide in 1984. In just six years, Sternlicht ascended through the ranks to become President and CEO. Under his leadership, Starwood experienced rapid growth, acquiring numerous properties and expanding its portfolio. One of Sternlicht's most notable achievements during this period was the creation of the W Hotels brand, which redefined luxury hotels by catering to a younger demographic with modern design and vibrant social spaces. In 1998, Sternlicht founded Starwood Capital Group, a global private investment firm focusing on real estate. The company has since grown into one of the world's largest real estate investment firms, managing over $70 billion in assets across multiple property sectors. Quotes by Barry Sternlicht reveal an innovative and forward-thinking businessman with a keen understanding of market trends: 1. "I like to buy when everyone else is selling and hold until everyone else is buying." 2. "It's not about the size of the deal. It's about getting a good deal." 3. "You have to be willing to take risks. I wouldn't recommend anyone put all their money into one place." 4. "I want people who work here to feel like they can do anything, that there are no boundaries." Sternlicht's influence extends beyond the real estate industry; he is a generous philanthropist, supporting various causes such as education, healthcare, and the arts. His art collection, featuring works by artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Jeff Koons, is one of the most prominent in private hands.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The secret in business is to know something that no one else knows."

This quote suggests that a key factor for success in business is possessing knowledge or information that is not widely known or understood by others, thereby providing a competitive advantage. This could be any kind of insight – from understanding market trends before they become mainstream to discovering a new technology or business model. However, it's important to note that such unique knowledge should always be used ethically and responsibly in the best interests of all parties involved.


"In the real world, things don't always go as planned. But good leaders anticipate and adapt."

This quote emphasizes the importance of adaptability in leadership, highlighting that while plans may not always unfold as intended in the "real world," effective leaders prepare for potential challenges and adjust their strategies accordingly. In essence, it suggests a resilient approach to problem-solving and decision-making in unpredictable situations.


"If you can't get rich quick, work to afford more time."

This quote emphasizes a practical approach to wealth accumulation that values both financial prosperity and personal freedom. The suggestion is that if one cannot become wealthy quickly through traditional means, they should focus on increasing their income or reducing their expenses in order to have the resources necessary for more free time. This perspective highlights the importance of balancing material success with personal fulfillment, emphasizing that wealth can be measured not just by monetary value, but also by the freedom it provides for living a meaningful life.


"Business success is all about timing, execution, and a bit of luck."

This quote by Barry Sternlicht suggests that success in business relies on three key factors: timing, execution, and luck. Timing refers to the strategic planning and decision-making at the right moment to seize opportunities or avoid threats. Execution is about putting plans into action efficiently and effectively. Lastly, luck plays a role in unexpected events that can positively impact one's business journey. While timing and execution are aspects an individual can control, luck often remains unpredictable. However, successful people tend to be those who prepare well, take calculated risks, and create opportunities for themselves – increasing the likelihood of good fortune in their favor. Ultimately, this quote highlights that a combination of these three elements contributes to business success.


"The best deals in the world are ones that don't happen because people don't understand what they have."

The quote implies that some of the most beneficial opportunities, or "deals," are missed due to a lack of understanding about their true value. In other words, when individuals or groups fail to recognize the potential benefits of a situation or investment, they may unknowingly pass up significant chances for growth, profit, or advancement. This underscores the importance of education, critical thinking, and keen awareness in making informed decisions.


As the facts change, change your thesis. Don't be a stubborn mule, or you'll get killed.

- Barry Sternlicht

Change, Stubborn, Mule, Thesis

If I had high-ticker 10 percent financing, which would probably be the market rate, I would have to dump stuff. The interest payments would be killing me.

- Barry Sternlicht

Had, Which, Payments, Financing

I've been a supporter of green initiatives for years. I've been paying more and more attention to it, you know, with three kids. I thought it was tragic when the Kyoto Protocol was killed by the U.S. It was sort of a call to action.

- Barry Sternlicht

Thought, Three, Been, Protocol

There has to be a way to live the life you're accustomed to and not sacrifice things. Americans are not very good about sacrificing.

- Barry Sternlicht

Sacrifice, Very, About, Sacrificing

I see Baccarat in major gateway cities like Paris, Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong and exotic resort locations.

- Barry Sternlicht

Like, I See, Cities, Exotic

It is very important that a leader in the hotel industry be both creative, I think, and compassionate.

- Barry Sternlicht

Leader, Important, Very, Compassionate

Pay attention to the big themes because that's what will help you earn ten times your money.

- Barry Sternlicht

Big, Pay Attention, Will, Ten Times

Today, when you're marketing a brand, you can't try to appeal to everybody. You should speak to a group of people and create them as loyalists.

- Barry Sternlicht

Everybody, Appeal, Them, Brand

I've been down to the Ecolodge in Panama, but there really are only a handful of real green hotels in the U.S.

- Barry Sternlicht

Green, Been, Handful, Hotels

Booking windows are shrinking, and customers are going mobile: trends which position HotelTonight perfectly for the future.

- Barry Sternlicht

Which, Booking, Perfectly, Customers

I wanted to start a hotel company from scratch.

- Barry Sternlicht

Hotel, Start, Wanted, Scratch

You go public because you want access to capital in the form of debt and equity.

- Barry Sternlicht

Access, Capital, Public, Equity

The best advice is often the compliments received, and they are often about an associate who did something exceptional. I tell my teams that it's the random acts of kindness, the unexpected, that people remember most.

- Barry Sternlicht

Advice, Compliments, Teams, Associate

Properties have different characteristics, like companies, and the market throws up more opportunities because it is inefficient.

- Barry Sternlicht

Market, Characteristics, Inefficient

There's more single-family homes rented in the United States then there are apartments.

- Barry Sternlicht

More, United, United States, Homes

I suppose I was a frustrated artist. I like fitting things together, and there are plenty of different ways to do that with real estate.

- Barry Sternlicht

Artist, Like, Frustrated, Suppose

It's cheaper to buy a house and finance it than it is to rent in many markets.

- Barry Sternlicht

Cheaper, Buy, Markets, Rent

The American dream is still to own your home.

- Barry Sternlicht

Dream, Own, Still, American Dream

If it can be profitable to be green, that's just smart business.

- Barry Sternlicht

Business, Green, Profitable, Smart

I went to Brown University, but my mom said I couldn't be an artist because I would starve.

- Barry Sternlicht

Artist, University, Would, Brown

We have an impact on nature, and nature has an impact on us.

- Barry Sternlicht

Nature, Us, Impact

I like to go to my simple cottage by the ocean or, really, any beach!

- Barry Sternlicht

Beach, Ocean, Like, Cottage

You can learn everything that there is to know about the industry or the player from the company that is performing better or worse.

- Barry Sternlicht

Learn, Better, About, Performing

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