Tilman J. Fertitta Quotes

Powerful Tilman J. Fertitta for Daily Growth

About Tilman J. Fertitta

Tilman J. Fertitta, an accomplished author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, was born on February 24, 1957, in Galveston, Texas. Known for his sharp business acumen and flair for storytelling, Fertitta's life has been a blend of the corporate world and the literary landscape. Raised in a family of entrepreneurs, Tilman inherited the spirit of innovation and risk-taking from an early age. After graduating with a Bachelor's degree in Management from the University of Alabama, he returned to Texas to join his father's business, Fertitta Enterprises. The company was primarily focused on real estate, oil and gas, and hospitality industries, which provided a fertile ground for Tilman's entrepreneurial pursuits. In 1986, Tilman founded Landry's Restaurants, Inc., transforming it into a leading dining, entertainment, and hospitality company with a diverse portfolio of more than 600 properties across the United States and United Kingdom. His success in business also led him to establish Fertitta Companies, a multi-industry conglomerate with investments in real estate, casino gaming, hotels, golf courses, marinas, energy exploration and production, and entertainment venues. In the literary realm, Tilman is best known for his books "Shut Up and Listen!" (2013) and "Bet on Yourself: The Ultimate Guide to Becoming a Triumphant Entrepreneur" (2019). These works offer insights into his business philosophy, leadership style, and the principles that have guided him throughout his career. Tilman's influence extends beyond business and literature. He is a dedicated philanthropist, with significant contributions to education, healthcare, and disaster relief efforts in Texas. His personal life and professional accomplishments continue to serve as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and authors alike.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Success is often the result of taking a new approach."

This quote by Tilman J. Fertitta emphasizes the importance of innovation in achieving success. It suggests that traditional methods may not always lead to desired outcomes, and instead, we should adopt novel approaches or perspectives to solve problems or reach our goals. This perspective encourages us to think outside the box, challenge conventions, and embrace change as a means of progress and achievement.


"Risk more than others wish to, dream more than others can."

This quote emphasizes the value of taking calculated risks and harboring ambitious dreams that surpass the scope of what others may consider possible. It suggests that those who are willing to step out of their comfort zones, embrace uncertainty, and strive for lofty goals often reap greater rewards in life. It also implies that such boldness sets these individuals apart from their peers.


"I've always tried to focus on my strengths and not worry too much about what other people are doing."

This quote by Tilman J. Fertitta emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and leveraging one's strengths, rather than focusing excessively on competitors or others. It underscores the idea that personal growth and success can be achieved when one concentrates on their unique abilities and talents, instead of being distracted by what others are doing. This mindset fosters a sense of self-confidence and enables individuals to excel in their own path, without feeling overwhelmed or diminished by external comparisons.


"You have to be willing to take risks. I think if our founding fathers had sat around and said, 'What if we fail?' we wouldn't be here today."

This quote emphasizes the importance of taking calculated risks in life, as it was risk-taking that ultimately led to the establishment and growth of the United States. The quote suggests that without a willingness to take chances and face potential failure, significant accomplishments may never be achieved. It encourages an attitude of boldness and determination, emphasizing that the fear of failure should not hinder one's ambitions or prevent them from pursuing their goals.


"The biggest risk is not taking any risk... In business or in life, you win by risking."

This quote by Tilman J. Fertitta underscores the importance of taking calculated risks in both personal and professional spheres of life. It suggests that avoiding risks altogether can lead to stagnation and missed opportunities. Instead, he advocates for the strategy of embracing risk-taking as a means to achieve success or win, emphasizing that the greatest danger lies in not venturing out and trying new things. This encourages individuals to be bold, innovative, and persistent in their pursuits.


You've got to stay strong to be strong in tough times.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Tough Times, Strong, Times

I ask people what they do in sales, how much money they made last year, what their cost of sales is, and they don't even know. If you don't know your numbers, you're going out of business. I don't care how good your product is.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Numbers, Year, Last Year, How Much Money

Everybody notices if you're the last one in in the morning and the first one to go in the evening. Always remember that as an employee.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Always, Last, Everybody, Employee

I like dealing with a peer so I can bully them. Because then, it's not bullying. It's just warfare.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Like, Dealing, Them, Bully

People throw in the towel because they don't know how to fight. You'd be surprised how much fight you have in you if you just do it.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

People, How, How Much, Just Do It

By adding Houston to the Big 12, all it does is make the Big 12 a power conference.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Big, Conference, Does, Houston

What I don't like - and I'm concerned about - as a Houstonian is that the SEC is starting to own Houston... There's more talk about the SEC than there is the Big 12.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Big, Like, Concerned, Houston

I just don't understand the Big 12 not wanting to own Houston, Texas, which is soon to be the third-largest populous in the United States. To me, it's a no-brainer. I'm just kind of disappointed and shocked it's not an automatic.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Big, United, Wanting, Houston

We will do whatever it takes to keep Tom Herman at the University of Houston. We're not going to lose Tom Herman because of money. If Tom Herman wants to go to LSU or Texas or Oregon or Baylor or wherever else, we cannot stop him from doing that. But it's not going to be because of money.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Doing, University, We Cannot, Houston

I absolutely do not think it's a foregone conclusion that we're going to lose our coach. Tom Herman loves the University of Houston. He's happy to be coaching at the University of Houston, and I think there are only a few places Tom Herman would even consider.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Happy, University, I Think, Houston

You don't see a lot of super-high-end hotels being built in Houston because it's so expensive to build, unless you're in New York and can charge $1,000 a night.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

New, Charge, Built, Houston

There's a lot of administrator and ex-administrators and board of regents from Baylor that say that Art Briles was a scapegoat at Baylor. I've had calls from ex-chairmen of the board of regents there, current big booster there, lawyers that represent Baylor. I have not had one negative call about Art Briles.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Lawyers, Big, About, Administrator

I don't care what business it is. I have the greatest respect in the world for that guy that can take an engine apart of a car and put it back together, or the house painter that can paint a perfect line, or the cameraman who can shoot the best shot. We're all talented in our own ways - just some of us make more money than others. That's all.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Perfect, Some, Line, Engine

I must have a God-given talent, which is the ability to multitask, plus I have great retention. I'm not the smartest guy, but I know how to do what I know how to do. I can handle things, and I don't have a lot of highs and lows. Sure, I might do some things for drama, but I'm not really upset. If you get hit across the head, you must move on.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Some, Upset, Guy, Highs

If you don't change and mix things up, you're going to get run over. One of the things we preach is change, change, change.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Over, One Of The Things, Mix

As much as you need to know your operations, if you don't understand the finance side and how to do the business, you're never going to be successful. So you might be the best operator or visionary, but if you don't understand the finance side... I'm successful because I know the finance side, but I also know operations; it's not an accident.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Best, Accident, Your, Operator

We're all born with different talents. I'm really not that smart, but I can see things - financially and development-wise. It's just the way we're made.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Born, Made, Really, Financially

When you're public, you're at the mercy of the markets. You can be doing extremely well, but if the markets are in the tank or your industry is in the tank, you don't get rewarded for it.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Doing, Industry, Your, Mercy

Don't ever let your business get ahead of the financial side of your business. Accounting, accounting, accounting. Know your numbers.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Business, Side, Ever, Accounting

I know all three facets of the business: the development side, the operations side, and I know how to borrow the money and how to put the deal together. If it was easy, everybody would do it.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Development, Deal, Side, Facets

I buy things that are good properties that I'm going to have forever. I just don't have any intention to sell anything. I believe you acquire good assets and you keep them and operate them.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Going, Sell, Buy, Assets

If you aren't listening, you are missing out.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Listening, You, Out, Missing

I'm there for my friends, and I'd like to think I'm there for my employees.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Friends, Think, Like, Employees

Most entrepreneurs come up with a product, or they come up with an idea and they think they can be successful with it. But if they don't know the financial side of their business and understand credit and working capital and what it takes money-wise, you can't be successful. The product is just a product.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Think, Product, Side, Credit

I have no issue with raising minimum wage, but then the customer can't say to us, 'Why are you raising your prices?'

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Minimum Wage, Raising, Issue, Customer

I always ask candidates two things: 'How many times have you been fired?' and, 'Do you watch your clock when it's time to go? Do you look at your phone? Do you look at your watch?'

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Fired, Always, Been, Candidates

If anything, I'd say my family was entrepreneurial - my grandfather and father. It was in our blood. But I didn't have this one mentor that was super successful.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Father, Mentor, Say, Entrepreneurial

I run in a local park two or three times a week. I probably should do more than I do, but I also do weight-lifting along with that cardio.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Week, Run, More, Park

I'm not on a special diet, but I do try to stay away from a lot of fried foods and from a lot of carbs. Yes, I eat a little bit of all of it.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Away, Carbs, Foods, Fried

You have to know your strengths and weaknesses. If you don't have a particular strength, you need to go out and replace that.

- Tilman J. Fertitta

Strength, Go, Need, Particular

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