"We built that into a wholesale business that became, really, one of the largest companies in the United States. We had success in building new markets, opening markets for competition, and that takes a personal toll"

In this quote, Jeffrey Skilling assesses the significant accomplishments and difficulties encountered throughout his period at the helm of Enron, a company as soon as hailed as one of the biggest corporations in the United States. Skilling highlights the transformative journey of developing a "wholesale business" into a major entity in the American business landscape, emphasizing both the scale of success and the ingenious techniques released at the same time.

The phrase "constructed that into a wholesale company" recommends that Skilling and his group took an existing entity or concept and broadened it significantly. This expansion not only involved development in size but also in scope, likely involving tactical diversifications and potentially pioneering brand-new business designs or markets. The mention of "opening markets for competition" indicates that Enron was instrumental in improving specific sectors, possibly by deregulating markets or producing brand-new frameworks that enabled more players to participate. This lines up with what Enron was understood for, mostly in the energy sector, where it played a significant role in the deregulation of power markets and the intro of ingenious trading practices.

Nevertheless, Skilling likewise acknowledges the "personal toll" such accomplishments bring. This expression indicate the significant personal sacrifices and pressures associated with leading such a large and enthusiastic business. It means the intense needs on time, energy, and potentially ethical factors to consider that can tax those in management positions. The recognition of this toll humanizes the business story, acknowledging that behind substantial service success, there are people who frequently deal with considerable stress and moral issues.

Skilling's reflection works as a suggestion of the high stakes involved in corporate management and the double nature of success: while it can be satisfying and transformative, it often features profound personal expenses and consequences. This acknowledgment is particularly poignant offered the later controversies and collapse of Enron, which work as a backdrop to Skilling's words and include depth to the understanding of his insights on service and leadership.