Top 5 Influential Entrepreneurs

The president and founder of Basement Systems Inc., Larry Janesky, has been honored as Businessperson of the Year by Business New Haven’s Annual Business and Civic Awards.

Business New Haven also honored other local businesspeople in categories such as Innovator of the Year, Small Businessperson of the Year, and Corporate Citizen.

The awards are sponsored by Specialized Packaging Group, Anthem, UHY, LLP. The winners were honored at a banquet, as well as in a special issue of Business New Haven magazine.

Accepting the award at the March 5 awards ceremony at Amarante's in New Haven, Janesky shared the following remarks about his career, his success, and his ten rules to live by.

People tell me I have a great story; I'm not so sure. It seemed fairly logical as it unfolded in the 27 years since I graduated high school. So how did I do it? Well, I'm going to call it like I see it.

1. Hard work. It's not easy. And those who look for it to be easy will not make it - and will be disappointed. Discipline is an indispensable quality that you need whether you like it or not. There is no free lunch. I think mental toughness is a good thing and we need more of it.