Source: InternationalBusinessGuide.org

One of my readers, Hannah Williams, helped create this cool infographic about Trump’s up’s and down’s over the years.

Donald Trump, like Gene Simmons of the band, KISS, has always been a big promoter.  Although Donald made more money, I think Gene is a better overall marketer. As you can see from the infographic, Donald, like Gene, marketed his brand like crazy.  Taking advantage of the goodwill that was out there.  Unfortunately, like “Trump Vodka” or “Trump Ice”, people would only go so far to buy into the Trump brand.  And unlike KISS, his fans were not quite as passionate and willing to buy anything he sold (like KISS caskets lol).

What Donald was really good at was negotiating (including negotiating bankruptcies well).  And tie that with promotion, a solid work ethic, and a passion for perfection in his brand and a take no prisoners dealmaking attitude, his successes were incredible.

However his lack of humility matched his successes.  And when success turned against him, the dog pile ensued.

But what it also interesting about Trump is that he didn’t stay down.  He worked and he leveraged and he learned and networked, and eventually got his brand back to the top of the heap.

And now running for President he is tackling new heights.  And I think that is also the connection Trump has with people.  He’s brash.  He isn’t afraid of a challenge.  He doesn’t run from criticism.  He believes in hard work and the rewards of success.  And he doesn’t sit on his family’s fortune but works to ever expand it.  He embodies the old American Spirit.  And all the good and bad that comes with it.

So what does that make him?  A success?  A mess?  You decide.