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Dear Friend and Fellow Entrepreneur,

You’ve probably heard the mantra: “Be original. Be creative. Invent. Innovate.” But in Dan Kennedy’s Book, No B.S. Guide to Succeeding in Business By Breaking All The Rules, he suggests there is great value in a different approach. Instead of reinventing the wheel, study what works and replicate it.

Originality has its place, but proven methods often yield better results. You don’t have to invent a new product or service to be successful. Sometimes, improving on existing products or services or tweaking them can lead to wild success.

Look at McDonald's. Ray Kroc didn’t invent the hamburger or the fast-food restaurant. What he did was study the efficient system the McDonald brothers had created and saw the potential to replicate and scale it. By improving on their methods, standardizing the process, and creating a franchise model, he built one of the most successful fast-food chains in the world. Kroc didn’t invent something new; he perfected an existing concept and executed it brilliantly.

Dear Friend and Fellow Entrepreneur,

You’ve been told you can’t get anywhere without a college education. Let’s cut through that nonsense. Success doesn’t require a college degree or anyone’s permission. Many successful people have bypassed traditional education and carved their own paths through determination and entrepreneurship.

Take Richard Branson, for example. He dropped out of high school at 16 and went on to build the Virgin Group, a conglomerate with businesses in music, airlines, and telecommunications. Branson didn’t wait for a diploma or someone’s permission to start his business ventures. He saw opportunities, took risks, and made things happen. He epitomizes the idea that grit, vision, and tenacity are far more valuable than a college degree.