--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Everybody in Texas would tell me that…" description: "\"Everybody in Texas would tell me that they thought I was nuts trying to start Southwest Airlines. There probably weren't 10 people in the state who wou..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/567/herb-kelleher-8657_airline_everybody-in-texas-would-tell-me-that-th_2212713.png" --- # Everybody in Texas would tell me that they thought I was… ![“Everybody in Texas would tell me that they thought I was nuts trying to start Southwest Airlines. There probably weren't 10 people in the state who would have given a plug nickel for our chances of making a dollar. So sometimes, you need a little courage, too, just to buck popular opinion.” quote by Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/567/herb-kelleher-8657_airline_everybody-in-texas-would-tell-me-that-th_2212713.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/567/herb-kelleher-8657_airline_everybody-in-texas-would-tell-me-that-th_2212713.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/567/herb-kelleher-8657_airline_everybody-in-texas-would-tell-me-that-th_2212713.png) > “Everybody in Texas would tell me that they thought I was nuts trying to start Southwest Airlines. There probably weren't 10 people in the state who would have given a plug nickel for our chances of making a dollar. So sometimes, you need a little courage, too, just to buck popular opinion.” [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Success often requires daring to pursue ideas despite widespread doubt and skepticism. **In simple terms:** Bold ideas need courage against popular doubt. Key Takeaway Embrace risk when others doubt you. Themes courage innovation leadership risk-taking perseverance Mood determined optimistic challenging Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - Launching a startup - pitching to investors - overcoming industry skepticism - making unconventional decisions Key Concepts Entrepreneurship disruption confidence Questions to Reflect On - What risks are you avoiding because of others' opinions? - How can you test bold ideas safely? A Different Perspective Courage alone may not guarantee success without solid planning and resources. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Dollars](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dollars/) [K Pop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/k-pop/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Popular opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/popular-opinion/) [Southwest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/southwest/) [Southwest airlines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/southwest-airlines/) [Texas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/texas/) ## Related quotes > [The spirit of Southwest Airlines is exuberant, it's caring, it's dedicated, it's diligent, it's fun, it's rewarding, it's a joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/the-spirit-of-southwest-airlines-is-exuberant-it-s-caring-it-s/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [When I started working on Southwest Airlines, I kid you not, only people flying on business and very wealthy people ever flew.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/when-i-started-working-on-southwest-airlines-i-kid-you-not-only/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [Keep costs low and spirits high, and the people of Southwest Airlines will keep LUV in the air.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/keep-costs-low-and-spirits-high-and-the-people-of-southwest-airlines/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [I guess the worst moment I ever had in business was the fear that Southwest Airlines wouldn't get off the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/i-guess-the-worst-moment-i-ever-had-in-business-was-the-fear-that/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [Sometimes you need a little courage too just to buck popular opinion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/sometimes-you-need-a-little-courage-too-just-to-buck-popular-opinion/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [I flew out here on Southwest Airlines. Southwest has a plane that's painted like Shamu the whale from Sea World. Yeah, that'll be easy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-schimmel/i-flew-out-here-on-southwest-airlines-southwest-has-a-plane-that-s/) [Robert Schimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-schimmel/) > [Some of the greatest businesses operating from a deeper purpose have a real commitment to service, like Four Seasons, Joie de Vivre hotels, Southwest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mackey/some-of-the-greatest-businesses-operating-from-a-deeper-purpose-have/) [John Mackey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mackey/) > [Southwest Airlines is successful because the company understands it's a customer service company. It also happens to be an airline.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harvey-mackay/southwest-airlines-is-successful-because-the-company-understands-it-s/) [Harvey Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harvey-mackay/) > [There are many people talking about access to space and, 'How can we make that cheaper? How can we turn that into a Southwest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buzz-aldrin/there-are-many-people-talking-about-access-to-space-and-how-can-we/) [Buzz Aldrin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buzz-aldrin/) > [I've been asked a number of times what was my proudest accomplishment when I was still very active in the day-to-day affairs of Southwest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/i-ve-been-asked-a-number-of-times-what-was-my-proudest-accomplishment/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [Succession planning has been a major priority at Southwest for quite some time. We think we have come up with a winning combination of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/succession-planning-has-been-a-major-priority-at-southwest-for-quite/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [The people of Southwest have always been my pride, my joy and my love. Their indomitable dedication and esprit de corps have taken Southwest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/the-people-of-southwest-have-always-been-my-pride-my-joy-and-my-love/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [Southwest isn't a 'This is my job, that's your job' kind of company. Being successful is our job, and we're willing to do whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/southwest-isn-t-a-this-is-my-job-that-s-your-job-kind-of-company/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [Also, in the category of 'obvious but still shocking,' an animal called a 'killer whale' killed someone who was trying to play with it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/also-in-the-category-of-obvious-but-still-shocking-an-animal-called-a/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [“We went to look at Southwest Airlines in the U.S. It was like the road to Damascus. This was the way to make Ryanair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-iddings/we-went-to-look-at-southwest-airlines-in-the-u-s-it-was-like-the-road/) Sean Iddings ## More by Herb Kelleher > [If the Wright brother were alive today Wilbur would have to fire Orville to reduce costs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/if-the-wright-brother-were-alive-today-wilbur-would-have-to-fire/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [You have to treat your employees like your customers. When you treat them right they will treat your outside customers right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/you-have-to-treat-your-employees-like-your-customers-when-you-treat/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [Power should be reserved for weightlifting and boats, and leadership really involves responsibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/power-should-be-reserved-for-weightlifting-and-boats-and-leadership/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [As far as value is concerned, the principal reason that I moved to Texas from New Jersey many, many years ago was because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/as-far-as-value-is-concerned-the-principal-reason-that-i-moved-to/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [Sometimes you need a little courage too just to buck popular opinion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/sometimes-you-need-a-little-courage-too-just-to-buck-popular-opinion/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [I want to see Texas remain an entrepreneurial powerhouse in the United States.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/i-want-to-see-texas-remain-an-entrepreneurial-powerhouse-in-the/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [You can't have a mid-life crisis in the airline industry because every day is a crisis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/you-can-t-have-a-mid-life-crisis-in-the-airline-industry-because/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [Keep costs low and spirits high, and the people of Southwest Airlines will keep LUV in the air.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/keep-costs-low-and-spirits-high-and-the-people-of-southwest-airlines/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [A company is stronger if it is bound by love rather than by fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/a-company-is-stronger-if-it-is-bound-by-love-rather-than-by-fear/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [The people of Southwest have always been my pride, my joy and my love. Their indomitable dedication and esprit de corps have taken Southwest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/the-people-of-southwest-have-always-been-my-pride-my-joy-and-my-love/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [A motivated employee treats the customer well. The customer is happy, so they keep coming back. It's not one of the enduring green mysteries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/a-motivated-employee-treats-the-customer-well-the-customer-is-happy/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [Hire for attitude, train for skill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/hire-for-attitude-train-for-skill/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [We have the best customer satisfaction record, based on Transportation Dept. statistics, of any airline in America, the fewest complaints filed per 100,000 passengers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/we-have-the-best-customer-satisfaction-record-based-on-transportation/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [Think small and act small, and we'll get bigger. Think big and act big, and we'll get smaller.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/think-small-and-act-small-and-we-ll-get-bigger-think-big-and-act-big/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [I've found that many of the greatest ideas surface in bars because that's where many people cultivate inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/i-ve-found-that-many-of-the-greatest-ideas-surface-in-bars-because/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) [Explore all 79 Herb Kelleher quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) ## More Airline quotes > [One of the Internet's highest-profile companies, Priceline once dreamed of transforming the way consumer goods are bought and sold by offering customers the chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-berenson/one-of-the-internet-s-highest-profile-companies-priceline-once/) [Alex Berenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-berenson/) > [Juan Tripp was a friend. Good name for an airline man, huh? Juan Tripp after another?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fay-wray/juan-tripp-was-a-friend-good-name-for-an-airline-man-huh-juan-tripp/) [Fay Wray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fay-wray/) > [Most big companies don't like you very much, except hotels, airlines and Microsoft, which don't like you at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bryson/most-big-companies-don-t-like-you-very-much-except-hotels-airlines/) [Bill Bryson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bryson/) > [If the Wright brother were alive today Wilbur would have to fire Orville to reduce costs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herb-kelleher/if-the-wright-brother-were-alive-today-wilbur-would-have-to-fire/) [Herb Kelleher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herb-kelleher/) > [Hart is still like that little tub of vaguely milklike gunk that comes with airline coffee. It is labeled a "nondairy" product. Fine: we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-will/hart-is-still-like-that-little-tub-of-vaguely-milklike-gunk-that/) [George Will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-will/) > [Be Luke Skywalker, not Darth Vader. Ultimately love is stronger than evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-burr/be-luke-skywalker-not-darth-vader-ultimately-love-is-stronger-than/) Don Burr > [As a businessman, Frank Lorenzo gives capitalism a bad name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-f-buckley-jr/as-a-businessman-frank-lorenzo-gives-capitalism-a-bad-name/) [William F. Buckley, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-f-buckley-jr/) > [I have an 800 freephone number now that I call if I get the urge to buy an airline stock. I call at two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-buffett/i-have-an-800-freephone-number-now-that-i-call-if-i-get-the-urge-to/) [Warren Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-buffett/) > [I don't mind flying. I always pass out before the plane leaves the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-campbell/i-don-t-mind-flying-i-always-pass-out-before-the-plane-leaves-the/) [Naomi Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-campbell/) > [Can a physicist visualize an electron? The electron is materially inconceivable and yet, it is so perfectly known through its effects that we use…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wernher-von-braun/can-a-physicist-visualize-an-electron-the-electron-is-materially/) [Wernher von Braun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wernher-von-braun/) > [Funny, isn't it? The airlines go to all that trouble to keep you from taking a gun on board, then they just hand you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-barry/funny-isn-t-it-the-airlines-go-to-all-that-trouble-to-keep-you-from/) [Dave Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-barry/) > [Any serious airline has to look at a worldwide network.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijay-mallya/any-serious-airline-has-to-look-at-a-worldwide-network/) [Vijay Mallya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijay-mallya/) > [Running an airline is a normal job. Racing is more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niki-lauda/running-an-airline-is-a-normal-job-racing-is-more/) [Niki Lauda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niki-lauda/) > [Those were my children being slaughtered.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-burr/those-were-my-children-being-slaughtered/) Don Burr > [I came from the music business, which reputedly has the biggest egos, but I really think the airline world caps it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-fernandes/i-came-from-the-music-business-which-reputedly-has-the-biggest-egos/) [Tony Fernandes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-fernandes/) Browse all 342 Airline quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Everybody in Texas would tell me that they thought I was nuts trying to start Southwest Airlines. There probably weren't 10 people in the state who would have given a plug nickel for our chances of making a dollar. 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