Provided photo
A young Brian Corcoran, center, with his parents, Judy and Bill Corcoran.
Updated: June 16, 2023
Never give up: Mainers recall business advice from their dads
Photos / Courtesy Adilah Muhammad, Linda Varrell, Jon Paradise and Brian Corcoran
Ahead of Father's Day, Mainers shared business wisdom they learned from their dads, along with cherished family snapshots.
In honor of Father’s Day this Sunday, Mainebiz asked a handful of movers and shakers to share the best business advice they received from their dads. The lessons are universal.
‘Be willing and able to learn’
“The best business advice I ever received from my dad is to learn every aspect of the business you create. Be willing and able to learn and do every task no matter how big or small so that you understand its impact on your bottom line.”
— Adilah Muhammad, executive director of the Third Place in Lewiston and a 2021 Mainebiz Woman to Watch
Channeling Mandela
"My grandfather [U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col.] Arthur Tatlock and father William Corcoran [a former police sergeant in Old Orchard Beach] always provided me with the following advice that I do my best to live by every day and twice on Sunday, which they as I learned later in life, borrowed from Nelson Mandela: 'No one can ever take away your education. Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.’ I proudly went on to complete my master's in sports management with an emphasis on business from Eastern Kentucky University."
— Brian Corcoran, chief engagement officer, Shamrock Sports & Entertainment, honored on the Mainebiz Next list in 2016
Tenacity and independence
"My dad [Thomas Varrell] was a veteran of two wars as a Marine — Korea and Vietnam — and after three tours of duty transferred to the Navy, so his advice was always tough: Be independent and self-sufficient. Never give up — face challenges head on, adapt, improvise and overcome. He never saw my brother, sister and me as a son or daughters. He saw us as equals capable of whatever we set our minds to, and he treated us as such.”
— Linda Varrell, Broadreach Public Relations founder and president
Value of hard work
"Our dad always says if running a business was easy, everyone would be doing it. Hard work is the only way to get to the top, especially when you immigrated to a part of the world which you're not from, or trying to make it in an industry you're new to. When you work hard, you'll reap the benefits later.”
— Van Sharma, co-founder of Rupee Beer with brother Sumit Sharma (both were Mainebiz 40 Under 40 honorees in 2022)
Provided photo
The entire Sharma family.
Live life with no regrets
"My dad, Dr. Noel Paradise, was the smartest guy I’ve ever known and, though he could be a man of few words, he was always supportive and never discouraged me in my professional or personal choices. He told me to not be afraid to fall down. Too many people psych themselves out of trying things and pursuing interests out of fear of failure so they end up not doing so. If you are willing to try, you will succeed far more times than not … Take chances, take risks, and go for it when you have an opportunity. Live life with no regrets. I have tried to live my life that way and ended up with a career I love and a fulfilling life. Thank you, Dad."
— Jon Paradise, senior vice president for communications, marketing and community engagement at Town & Country Federal Credit Union
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