Ingvar Kamprad Quotes

Powerful Ingvar Kamprad for Daily Growth

About Ingvar Kamprad

Ingvar Kamprad (1926-2018), a Swedish entrepreneur and business magnate, is best known as the founder of IKEA, one of the world's most successful retail companies. Born on March 30, 1926, in Pjätteryd, Småland, Sweden, Kamprad demonstrated an early affinity for commerce by selling matches door-to-door at the age of seven. Influenced by the Swedish Businessmen's Association and his own entrepreneurial spirit, Kamprad founded IKEA (an acronym derived from his initials and the name of the farm where he grew up) in 1943, selling furniture made from local materials. The company expanded quickly due to its innovative designs, affordable pricing, and focus on flat-packed furniture for easy assembly. In the post-war era, IKEA's success was aided by Kamprad's visionary leadership. He traveled extensively to gather ideas and inspiration, embracing modernist design trends and incorporating them into IKEA's product line. In 1953, Kamprad opened the first IKEA store in Älmhult, Sweden, and over the next few decades, the company expanded globally. However, Kamprad's life was not without controversy. During World War II, he was a member of the Swedish Nazi movement, Newswatch, a fact that led to protests against IKEA in later years. Despite this dark period in his past, Kamprad's contributions to business and design are undeniable. He passed away on January 27, 2018, leaving behind an enduring legacy of affordable, functional, and stylish home furnishings that continue to shape interiors worldwide.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The more you care for something, the more it is exciting, the more you want to try your best every day."

This quote emphasizes that when one truly cares about something, they feel a heightened sense of excitement and motivation, leading them to strive for excellence each day. It suggests that the depth of our feelings towards a particular activity or goal directly impacts our level of commitment and desire to succeed in it.


"It's not the one who has everything under control, but the one who does well with what he has under control."

This quote highlights the importance of effectively managing what we have rather than aiming for control over everything in our lives. It suggests that success is not solely dependent on having vast resources or power, but on how skillfully we utilize and manage the resources at our disposal. It encourages a mindset of focusing on what we can control and influence positively, rather than being overwhelmed by what we cannot.


"Success isn't final, failure isn't fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." (This quote is actually by Winston Churchill, but it is often attributed to Ingvar Kamprad.)

This quote emphasizes resilience in the face of adversity, suggesting that success should be celebrated but not taken as a definite end, and failure should be seen as a learning opportunity rather than an insurmountable obstacle. The courage to continue, despite setbacks or challenges, is what truly defines one's character and propels them forward on their journey towards achievement.


"To grow, you must be willing to be uncomfortable."

This quote by Ingvar Kamprad emphasizes the importance of embracing discomfort in the pursuit of growth. It suggests that personal development, whether for an individual or a business, requires stepping out of one's comfort zone and facing challenges. The implication is that if we are always comfortable, we are not growing or learning new things. Therefore, being willing to experience discomfort can lead to valuable insights, skills, and experiences that contribute to our growth.


"I always like to say, 'Think long-term and don't panic when the market is down.'"

This quote from Ingvar Kamprad emphasizes the importance of a long-term perspective in business and investing, and encourages individuals not to give in to fear or panic during market downturns. By focusing on the future and maintaining composure during challenging times, one can make rational decisions and take advantage of opportunities that may arise amidst volatility. This mindset fosters resilience, adaptability, and ultimately, success over time.


We don't need flashy cars, impressive titles, uniforms, or other status symbols. We rely on our strength and our will!

- Ingvar Kamprad

Strength, Need, Other, Rely

Everything we earn we need as a reserve.

- Ingvar Kamprad

Need, Everything, Earn, Reserve

We ought to have more women in various management positions, because women are the ones who decide almost everything in the home.

- Ingvar Kamprad

Almost Everything, Almost, Women Are

Normally, I try to get my haircut when I'm in a developing country. Last time, it was in Vietnam.

- Ingvar Kamprad

Country, Developing, Last, Normally

The company will never go to the market. We want to keep strict self-financing.

- Ingvar Kamprad

Never, Will, Market, Strict

An optimised tax structure gives us the possibility of flexibility in using our assets that have already been taxed in one market. They can be used in new markets for further business development without the additional burden of double taxation.

- Ingvar Kamprad

Used, Been, Additional, Possibility

I decided that the stock market was not an option for IKEA. I knew that only a long-term perspective could secure our growth plans, and I didn't want IKEA to become dependent on financial institutions.

- Ingvar Kamprad

Financial, Knew, Could, Dependent

It is in the nature of Smaland to be thrifty.

- Ingvar Kamprad

Nature, Thrifty

I feel many responsibilities - to our customers, to our employees, to the environment, to the world at large. But I don't want to feel responsible to investors, to outsiders with financial concerns that may differ from those of the welfare of IKEA.

- Ingvar Kamprad

Financial, May, Large, Differ

Ikea people do not drive flashy cars or stay at luxury hotels.

- Ingvar Kamprad

Car, Luxury, Flashy, Hotels

I look at the money I'm about to spend on myself and ask if IKEA's customers could afford it.

- Ingvar Kamprad

Myself, Could, About, Customers

If there is such a thing as good leadership, it is to give a good example. I have to do so for all the Ikea employees.

- Ingvar Kamprad

Good, Good Example, Give, Such A Thing

I see my task as serving the majority of people. The question is, how do you find out what they want, how best to serve them? My answer is to stay close to ordinary people because, at heart, I am one of them.

- Ingvar Kamprad

Best, I See, Ordinary People, Serving

I'm stingy and I'm proud of the reputation.

- Ingvar Kamprad

Reputation, Proud, Stingy

When the first million came in, I felt, 'My God, now I'm really independent.' That was a fantastic experience.

- Ingvar Kamprad

Independent, Felt, Really, Fantastic

My theory was that good furniture could be priced so that the man with the flat wallet would be attracted to it, would make a place for it in his spending, and could afford it.

- Ingvar Kamprad

Good, Wallet, Could, Furniture

How the hell can I ask people who work for me to travel cheaply if I travel in luxury? It's a question of good leadership.

- Ingvar Kamprad

Work, Question, Cheaply, Luxury

I am very proud to follow the rules of our company.

- Ingvar Kamprad

I Am, Proud, Very, Company

I'm not afraid of turning 80 and I have lots of things to do. I don't have time for dying.

- Ingvar Kamprad

Dying, Afraid, Lots, Turning

People say I am cheap, and I don't mind if they do.

- Ingvar Kamprad

I Am, Mind, Say, Cheap

We have always looked at taxes as a cost, just as any other cost that comes with doing business.

- Ingvar Kamprad

Doing, Always, Other, Cost

We have to still develop the Ikea group. We need many billions of Swiss francs to take on China or Russia.

- Ingvar Kamprad

China, Still, Take, Billions

Our idea is to serve everybody, including people with little money.

- Ingvar Kamprad

Money, Everybody, Including, Little Money

I've paid an awful lot of lawyers to protect what I've built. I can only hope the money was well spent.

- Ingvar Kamprad

Awful Lot, Built, Spent, Lawyers

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