Herman J. Russell

How I operated in my life was how I ran my company. i budgeted for everything. I didn't leave anything to chance.

"I want to talk to the president of the bank. Am I really going to get a loan from this place or am I just wasting my time?"

The president: "We usually don't give loans to new businesses. We haven't loaned money to negro businesses." Russell's heart sank. "But I tell you what. I like what you presented here. I will call you in a couple of days."

Bingo!

"I developed 4 rules for success in business: be honest, work hard, equip yourself for the job, and control the growth of the company"

It was a triumph. His triumph. Up to that point, no black firm had ever worked on a project of hat magnitude, his company was on the move.

"When you look at employees, you have to learn to read them. Anybody can give you a lovely resume, but I look for signs of leadership. Performance is the proof of the pudding"