At 82, self-made billionaire Jack Cowin has a number of simple truths about life and business to share. 'I didn't come from ... I'm kind of self-made. I use that terminology and I'm proud of that,' Cowin told CNBC in Australia. He started his first business, a pizza takeaway, in Australia, which eventually grew into a 55-store franchise. He then sold it for over $71 million in 2013, according to a company representative.
Cowin is also the founder and chairman of Competitive Foods Australia, the company that operates Burger King as 'Hungry Jack's' in Australia. Before starting his fast food empire, Cowin played football in university and even had a 'brief flirtation' with playing professionally. 'Business is a team sport,' he said. 'Don't be a dentist ... when you're not drilling teeth, you're not making money,' Cowin told CNBC Make It. 'If you want to do something is bigger and has more scope, you have to become a team player and ... to become a team player, you got to interact with people,' he said. Business isn't just about satisfying your own needs — it's also about fulfilling what others need, whether they're employees, customers, investors or business partners. Being a 'people person' and having an innate curiosity and desire to learn has been key to his success, he said. The first Hungry Jack's location was opened in 1971 in Innaloo, Perth. When asked to give advice to young people who may be feeling lost in life, Cowin said, 'The short answer is — if you're lost, get active with something.' 'I see people that get fired or something goes wrong in their life. They sit on the sidelines and they lose confidence ... you got to be in the game to be successful,' he said. After spending some time reflecting, it's important not to get stuck in a cycle of moping: 'You got to get back into the mainstream of life by doing stuff, interacting with people,' he said. 'Have a go, don't stand around thinking about it'