Marking a career achievement with a 12,000 euro Rolex purchase – justifying the expense as justified.
Here's My Story: The Rolex, a Badge of Entrepreneurial Victory
Hey there, I'm an enterprising chap who’s got a taste for the spectacular. I set myself a mighty goal to bring in a million big ones (€885,000) in a single year.
The payoff for reaching this gargantuan target? A gleaming Rolex, setting me back a cool $14,000 (€12,000). Some folks just don't get it, but for me, that luxury wristwatch is more than just a timepiece - it’s a visual declaration of my triumphs.
I've been knee-deep in the entrepreneurial game since I was a spry 19-year-old. Every January, I'd set myself a string of tough targets, determined to build a company that'd set me up for an early retirement when I hit the big 5-0.
At the start of 2023, I leveled up my ambition: I wanted to bank a million in a single year. My reward? A stunning Rolex.
I’ve always had a thing for watches, but I never thought I'd be able to secure a Rolex, the epitome of my dreams. Achieving this revenue goal was a pipe dream for my business at the time, so I linked it to an equally ambitious reward.
I run a little education empire, selling online courses, books, and software, and offering consulting services to guide companies on leadership matters. In addition, I offer self-study programs and training sessions, knowing I could generate revenue without taking all of my time. I poured myself into sales and marketing, my heart pulsing with motivation every time I thought about that Rolex gracing my wrist.
When December 2023 rolled around, I hit my mark. I was sky-high with delight, nestled in Tokyo, my favorite city. The next day, I slid into a luxury watch store in Shibuya, settling on a Rolex Yacht-Master that cost me $14,000 (€12,000). The sales clerk swiped my card, and I teared up, touching the priceless timepiece that represented countless hours of labor and countless dreams fulfilled.
I retreated to my hotel, casting sidelong glances at my new treasure. I shared the moment with my loved ones via FaceTime, their warm smiles a testament to my achievements. But there were some who didn’t quite understand why a Rolex, of all things.
I've heard the same tired comments over and over again: "A Casio works just fine," without grasping the essence of a luxury watch or the sentiment behind my purchase. Each time someone says that, I feel like they’re diminishing my efforts, like they're taking a swipe at my victory.
The purchase of a luxury watch or any cherished item can be a poignant moment in an individual's life. They serve as milestones, reminding us of our accomplishments and inspiring us to reach even higher with each wear. My Rolex isn't just a watch - it's a symbol of success, a testament to blood, sweat, and tears.
Since I acquired the Rolex, I've always connected each new goal with a desired item. In 2024, I set my sights on $1.5 million (€1.3 million) in revenue, envisioning a Patek Philippe watch as my reward for reaching that lofty milestone. I didn't quite make it, but I still increased my revenue and added the watch to my motivational arsenal for the following year.
Want to read the original story? Check it out on Business Insider.
Here's the skinny on luxury timepieces like Rolex:
- Status Symbol and Credibility: These watches serve as powerful status symbols, signaling success, hard work, and financial capability - qualities that are highly coveted in the entrepreneurial realm. They also subtly boost credibility, conveying a sense of reliability and long-lasting value.
- Motivational Tool: For entrepreneurs, luxury watches can act as a motivational force, constantly reminding the owner of past achievements and spurring them on towards future victories.
- Networking Catalyst: Luxury watches serve as conversation starters in social and business settings, helping to create instant connections and paving the way for new relationships and opportunities.
- Investment and Resale Value: Luxury watches often retain or increase their value over time, making them a wise investment. In addition, they provide a tangible symbol of success that lasts.
- Gender Inclusivity: The luxury watch market has become more inclusive, as women have begun investing in these timepieces. Female entrepreneurs are now a significant presence in the market, using luxury watches to mark their achievements and flaunt their professional success.
- My ambitious revenue goal of €885,000 was not only a testament to my entrepreneurial spirit but also a stepping stone towards owning a luxury Rolex watch.
- The Rolex, once acquired, became more than just a timepiece for me; it was a visual embodiment of my triumphs, a symbol of success that I could wear with pride.
- In addition to my entrepreneurial ventures, I've extended my business interests to the fashion-and-beauty sector, offering online courses, books, software, and consulting services in education-and-self-development and personal-growth, with a focus on goal-setting.
- In 2023, I decided to elevate my goals even further and aimed to bank a million euros in a single year, with the reward being a captivating Rolex.
- While the monetary value of a luxury watch like the Rolex might seem frivolous to some, for an entrepreneur, it serves as a tangible representation of hard work, perseverance, and the pursuit of personal growth, inspiring one to strive for even greater success.
