Harvey Mackay

Harvey Mackay – Life, Business, and Wisdom

Discover the life, entrepreneurial journey, and enduring lessons of Harvey Mackay (born 1932)—American businessman, bestselling author, and master networker whose advice on sales, relationships, and perseverance has inspired millions.

Introduction

Harvey Mackay is a name synonymous with salesmanship, relationship building, and the art of turning business connections into opportunities. As an entrepreneur, author, columnist, and speaker, he has shared his practical wisdom in dozens of books and in a syndicated column read by many. Though born in modest circumstances, Mackay’s career is a story of ambition, grit, and timeless principles. In this article, we journey through his life, achievements, philosophies, and the quotes for which he is well known.

Early Life and Background

Harvey Mackay was born on October 24, 1932 in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Growing up, Mackay took on many jobs to contribute and learn life lessons. He sold magazines door-to-door, delivered newspapers, shoveled snow, cut grass, and caddied on weekends.

These early experiences imprinted on him the values of persistence, service, early work ethic, and the importance of sales skills. Rolodex with notes to track connections and find creative ways to re-engage with people.

Mackay graduated from Central High School in Saint Paul in 1950. University of Minnesota, earning a Bachelor of Arts in History in 1954.

Business Career and Achievements

Early Steps in Sales & Entrepreneurship

After university, Mackay began his career in sales, joining Quality Park Envelope Company in the shipping department and later becoming a top salesperson.

In 1959, at around age 26 or 27, he acquired a struggling envelope manufacturer (with just 12 employees) and turned it around. MackayMitchell Envelope Company.

By the 2000s, the company was producing 25 million envelopes per day, employing hundreds of people, and generating significant revenues (reports often cite ~$100 million scale)

In 2000, Mackay sold the envelope company to a management group but remained as chairman and retained equity.

Writing, Speaking & Influence

Mackay is also a prolific writer and speaker. His first and breakthrough book—Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive—was published in 1988. The New York Times bestseller list for 54 weeks and has sold millions of copies globally.

Since then, Mackay has written multiple bestselling books, including:

• Beware the Naked Man Who Offers You His Shirt

• Dig Your Well Before You’re Thirsty

• Pushing the Envelope

• We Got Fired!

• Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door

• The Mackay MBA of Selling in the Real World

His books collectively have sold over 10 million copies, translated into dozens of languages, and distributed in many countries.

In addition, Mackay has a syndicated weekly column (career and inspirational advice) appearing in over 80 to 100 newspapers. Toastmasters International as one of the world’s top five speakers (alongside names like Tony Robbins) National Speakers Association Hall of Fame.

He has lectured and given keynote talks at major business schools (Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, etc.) and to Fortune 500 companies.

Civic Engagement & Awards

Mackay has served on numerous nonprofit and civic boards—spanning arts, education, health, and philanthropy (Minnesota Orchestra, Guthrie Theater, American Cancer Society, University of Minnesota, Sundance Institute). Stadium Task Force from 1977 to 1981, advocating for the Metrodome.

His awards include:

• Honorary Doctor of Laws (Iowa Wesleyan, 1981)

• Minnesota Entrepreneur of the Year (1989)

• Horatio Alger Award (2004)

• Induction into the Sales & Marketing Executives International Academy (SMEI)

Personality, Philosophy & Style

Harvey Mackay combines pragmatism with motivational energy. Some of the traits and guiding principles that define him include:

• Relational approach to business. For Mackay, success often flows from how you treat people and how you stay connected. His father’s emphasis on remembering names and reaching out repeatedly shaped this belief.

• Persistence and grit. Many of his early jobs and later business turns show a willingness to do what others won’t—working early mornings, slogging through setbacks, and building step by step.

• Continual learning and teaching. Even after success, he remained an author and speaker, articulating lessons from real experience.

• Service and civic mindedness. His involvement with philanthropic boards and community initiatives reveals that for Mackay, business success and giving back are not separate.

• Positive outlook. He often emphasizes optimism and the power of attitude—as taught by his father, who said one could choose optimism or pessimism each morning.

Famous Quotes of Harvey Mackay

Harvey Mackay is known for many pithy, business-oriented lines. Below are several that capture his philosophy:

• “Dig your well before you’re thirsty.”
  Meaning: Build relationships, credibility, and resources before you desperately need them.

• “Do what you love, love what you do—and deliver more than you promise.”
  Meaning: Align passion with work, and exceed expectations.

• “Swimming with the sharks is not easy—but staying afloat will prove indelible lessons.”
  (Variant of his book title)
  Meaning: Business competition is fierce; you must stay alert, adaptable, and resilient.

• “Everyone communicates, few connect.”
  Meaning: Aside from speaking or writing, the crucial skill is forging genuine connection.

• “Your network is your net worth.”
  Meaning: The relationships and contacts you cultivate are among your greatest assets.

• “The difference between average people and achieving people is their perception of and response to failure.”
  Meaning: Success often lies in how one handles setbacks—not in avoiding them.

• “If you’re not continuously improving, you’re falling behind.”
  Meaning: Stagnation is regression; lifelong growth is vital.

These quotes have circulated widely in business literature, on posters, and in motivational talks.

Lessons from Harvey Mackay

From the life and work of Harvey Mackay, one can distill several lessons:

1. Start small, think big. His journey began in sales and modest envelope work, but he scaled deliberately.

2. Invest in people. Earning trust, keeping in touch, and serving others often yields more than transactional tactics.

3. Be proactive—not reactive. Waiting until a crisis to build your network or reputation is too late.

4. Persist through adversity. Success is often about staying the course, making incremental gains, and adapting.

5. Teach as you learn. Sharing lessons solidifies one’s own understanding and helps others.

6. Balance success with service. Influence grows when accompanied by integrity, giving back, and ethical action.

Conclusion

Harvey Mackay is more than a successful businessman: he's a teacher of relationships, strategy, and character. From delivering newspapers to building a multi-million-dollar enterprise and writing bestselling books, his journey is a testament to perseverance, connection, and service. His advice—simple yet profound—continues to guide salespeople, entrepreneurs, and professionals around the world.

If you'd like, I can generate a chronological timeline of Mackay’s life, or extract “10 essential business strategies” from his writings. Which would you like me to do next?