Yes, hard work really pays off at the end. Personally, that's the first lessons I learned when I just starting my own business. You really need to work very hard day in day out. Wake up early and see everything is in place and you should also have a contingency plan and as @hugeblack has said, think outside of the box. I think the article has summarize everything, and really there's no secrets but just laying out a good plan and following and sticking to it and of course work you butt off.