you can actually make more money being smart than you can being strong or fast
smart than you can being strong or fast
smart than you can being strong or fast running your own race demands trust in
running your own race demands trust in
running your own race demands trust in yourself even when others don’t this is
yourself even when others don’t this is
yourself even when others don’t this is not a lifestyle business and if you want
not a lifestyle business and if you want
not a lifestyle business and if you want to make it a lifestyle business this is
to make it a lifestyle business this is
to make it a lifestyle business this is wrong business to begin he’s the founder
wrong business to begin he’s the founder
wrong business to begin he’s the founder chairman and CEO of Vista Equity
chairman and CEO of Vista Equity
chairman and CEO of Vista Equity Partners a firm with over 26 billion
Partners a firm with over 26 billion
Partners a firm with over 26 billion dollars under asset control he’s ranked
dollars under asset control he’s ranked
dollars under asset control he’s ranked by Forbes as a two hundred and sixty
by Forbes as a two hundred and sixty
by Forbes as a two hundred and sixty eighth richest person in America he has
eighth richest person in America he has
eighth richest person in America he has an estimated net worth of over three
an estimated net worth of over three
an estimated net worth of over three billion dollars he’s Robert F Smith and
billion dollars he’s Robert F Smith and
billion dollars he’s Robert F Smith and here’s my take on his top ten rules for
here’s my take on his top ten rules for
here’s my take on his top ten rules for success rule number two is my personal
success rule number two is my personal
success rule number two is my personal favorite and make sure to stick around
favorite and make sure to stick around
favorite and make sure to stick around all the way to the end for some special
all the way to the end for some special
all the way to the end for some special bonus clips also as Robert is talking if
bonus clips also as Robert is talking if
bonus clips also as Robert is talking if he says something that really really is
he says something that really really is
he says something that really really is meaningful to you please leave it in the
meaningful to you please leave it in the
meaningful to you please leave it in the comments below put quotes around it so
comments below put quotes around it so
comments below put quotes around it so other people can be inspired as well
other people can be inspired as well
other people can be inspired as well enjoy
intelligence can create huge profits and
intelligence can create huge profits and in fact you can actually make more money
in fact you can actually make more money
in fact you can actually make more money being smart than you can being strong or
being smart than you can being strong or
being smart than you can being strong or fast okay and so the importance of
fast okay and so the importance of
fast okay and so the importance of developing intellectual property cannot
developing intellectual property cannot
developing intellectual property cannot be underestimated because I want you to
be underestimated because I want you to
be underestimated because I want you to think about something intellectual
think about something intellectual
think about something intellectual property no one else can take that from
property no one else can take that from
property no one else can take that from you point number one if you manage it
you point number one if you manage it
you point number one if you manage it right
right
right point number two it is constantly
point number two it is constantly
point number two it is constantly evolving and it actually takes no
evolving and it actually takes no
evolving and it actually takes no capital if I’m going to go in the real
capital if I’m going to go in the real
capital if I’m going to go in the real estate business it takes me a whole lot
estate business it takes me a whole lot
estate business it takes me a whole lot of money to go buy a building and get in
of money to go buy a building and get in
of money to go buy a building and get in the real estate business intellectual
the real estate business intellectual
the real estate business intellectual property I just have to think through
property I just have to think through
property I just have to think through how it actually works and then to
how it actually works and then to
how it actually works and then to develop it and that’s what really
develop it and that’s what really
develop it and that’s what really launched me on the path to saying you
launched me on the path to saying you
launched me on the path to saying you know what you know as good as I thought
know what you know as good as I thought
know what you know as good as I thought I was playing football and all those
I was playing football and all those
I was playing football and all those wonderful things my mom was was a
wonderful things my mom was was a
wonderful things my mom was was a wonderful governor to my ambitions she
wonderful governor to my ambitions she
wonderful governor to my ambitions she said you were far better after a scholar
said you were far better after a scholar
said you were far better after a scholar than you are athlete which kind of hurt
than you are athlete which kind of hurt
than you are athlete which kind of hurt my feelings at the time but she was
my feelings at the time but she was
my feelings at the time but she was absolutely right and I started to turn
absolutely right and I started to turn
absolutely right and I started to turn my attention to what I call developing
my attention to what I call developing
my attention to what I call developing my mind running your own race the man’s
my mind running your own race the man’s
my mind running your own race the man’s trusting yourself even when others don’t
trusting yourself even when others don’t
trusting yourself even when others don’t because guess what there are a lot of
because guess what there are a lot of
because guess what there are a lot of people good people people who love you
people good people people who love you
people good people people who love you who trust you and who you love and trust
who trust you and who you love and trust
who trust you and who you love and trust who want the best for you and you’ll
who want the best for you and you’ll
who want the best for you and you’ll come to them with some ideas about what
come to them with some ideas about what
come to them with some ideas about what you want to do and how you want to do it
you want to do and how you want to do it
you want to do and how you want to do it and they’re going to say that’s crazy
and they’re going to say that’s crazy
and they’re going to say that’s crazy just like when I left my first
just like when I left my first
just like when I left my first engineering job at Kraft and was telling
engineering job at Kraft and was telling
engineering job at Kraft and was telling my grandfather I was going back to
my grandfather I was going back to
my grandfather I was going back to business school and he said that’s a
business school and he said that’s a
business school and he said that’s a great paying job that’s crazy and when I
great paying job that’s crazy and when I
great paying job that’s crazy and when I finished Business School and decided to
finished Business School and decided to
finished Business School and decided to join the tumultuous world of Investment
join the tumultuous world of Investment
join the tumultuous world of Investment Banking my friends and my family and it
Banking my friends and my family and it
Banking my friends and my family and it was spoke up with concerns about my
was spoke up with concerns about my
was spoke up with concerns about my sanity and when I left goldman sachs
sanity and when I left goldman sachs
sanity and when I left goldman sachs right after we’ve gone public to set up
right after we’ve gone public to set up
right after we’ve gone public to set up a private equity firm called this
a private equity firm called this
a private equity firm called this my mentors and colleagues at Goldman
my mentors and colleagues at Goldman
my mentors and colleagues at Goldman Sachs thought I was crazy and to top it
Sachs thought I was crazy and to top it
Sachs thought I was crazy and to top it all off when I told I’m going to start a
all off when I told I’m going to start a
all off when I told I’m going to start a firm we’re going to focus on enterprise
firm we’re going to focus on enterprise
firm we’re going to focus on enterprise software and not be diversified like all
software and not be diversified like all
software and not be diversified like all other private equity firms I was going
other private equity firms I was going
other private equity firms I was going to hire a team of smart young talented
to hire a team of smart young talented
to hire a team of smart young talented people who never done this before
people who never done this before
people who never done this before everyone knew I was certifiable and I
everyone knew I was certifiable and I
everyone knew I was certifiable and I did this of course in the spring of 2000
did this of course in the spring of 2000
did this of course in the spring of 2000 about two months before the entire tech
about two months before the entire tech
about two months before the entire tech bubble crashed well all I can tell you
bubble crashed well all I can tell you
bubble crashed well all I can tell you is I’ve never been mad at these folks in
is I’ve never been mad at these folks in
is I’ve never been mad at these folks in fact I’m grateful for the advice and
fact I’m grateful for the advice and
fact I’m grateful for the advice and their concern because in their caution I
their concern because in their caution I
their concern because in their caution I found my courage in their doubts I found
found my courage in their doubts I found
found my courage in their doubts I found my resolve and in their warning warnings
my resolve and in their warning warnings
my resolve and in their warning warnings I found my voice and chartered my own
I found my voice and chartered my own
I found my voice and chartered my own journey and I’m proud of the vistas
journey and I’m proud of the vistas
journey and I’m proud of the vistas story we take risks we do things
story we take risks we do things
story we take risks we do things differently and we listen to our own
differently and we listen to our own
differently and we listen to our own voice we run our own race and it has
voice we run our own race and it has
voice we run our own race and it has worked we are now considered to be the
worked we are now considered to be the
worked we are now considered to be the number one private equity firm on the
number one private equity firm on the
number one private equity firm on the planet and have been so for the last
planet and have been so for the last
planet and have been so for the last decade and did you go straight to Wall
decade and did you go straight to Wall
decade and did you go straight to Wall Street after college no I work for about
Street after college no I work for about
Street after college no I work for about six years and applied research and
six years and applied research and
six years and applied research and development you know one of the joys of
development you know one of the joys of
development you know one of the joys of being a chemical engineers and we talk
being a chemical engineers and we talk
being a chemical engineers and we talk about becoming the modern-day Alchemist
about becoming the modern-day Alchemist
about becoming the modern-day Alchemist you learn how to create things you know
you learn how to create things you know
you learn how to create things you know transform matter from one form to
transform matter from one form to
transform matter from one form to another and that’s what was important to
another and that’s what was important to
another and that’s what was important to me I wanted to be an inventor and so I
me I wanted to be an inventor and so I
me I wanted to be an inventor and so I worked for about six years an Applied
worked for about six years an Applied
worked for about six years an Applied Research develop and got a chance to you
Research develop and got a chance to you
Research develop and got a chance to you know travel all over the world with big
know travel all over the world with big
know travel all over the world with big companies like you know Kraft General
companies like you know Kraft General
companies like you know Kraft General Foods and Air Products and chemicals
Foods and Air Products and chemicals
Foods and Air Products and chemicals solving some very complex problems and
solving some very complex problems and
solving some very complex problems and with using you know my engineering skill
with using you know my engineering skill
with using you know my engineering skill set and I’d loved it absolutely loved it
set and I’d loved it absolutely loved it
set and I’d loved it absolutely loved it until one day I was sitting there with
until one day I was sitting there with
until one day I was sitting there with the head of my division and the head of
the head of my division and the head of
the head of my division and the head of marketing the head of sales a head of
marketing the head of sales a head of
marketing the head of sales a head of development for in a small division but
development for in a small division but
development for in a small division but then you know Philip Morris was part of
then you know Philip Morris was part of
then you know Philip Morris was part of Kraft and I realized we went through our
Kraft and I realized we went through our
Kraft and I realized we went through our six most important strategic priorities
six most important strategic priorities
six most important strategic priorities I was leading five of them I was half
I was leading five of them I was half
I was leading five of them I was half the age of everybody in the room and I
the age of everybody in the room and I
the age of everybody in the room and I know I was making 1/3 of everybody in
know I was making 1/3 of everybody in
know I was making 1/3 of everybody in the room I said I mean doing something
the room I said I mean doing something
the room I said I mean doing something very right or very wrong
very right or very wrong
very right or very wrong and it’s bit of both right and so this
and it’s bit of both right and so this
and it’s bit of both right and so this kinds of that lesson of the realization
kinds of that lesson of the realization
kinds of that lesson of the realization of worth and self-worth right I said you
of worth and self-worth right I said you
of worth and self-worth right I said you know what this is a great experience I’m
know what this is a great experience I’m
know what this is a great experience I’m having fun I got three promotions in
having fun I got three promotions in
having fun I got three promotions in like eighteen months as I was doing all
like eighteen months as I was doing all
like eighteen months as I was doing all these great and wonderful things but
these great and wonderful things but
these great and wonderful things but then I realized there’s probably
then I realized there’s probably
then I realized there’s probably something else out there that you are
something else out there that you are
something else out there that you are enough to be who you want to be and to
enough to be who you want to be and to
enough to be who you want to be and to create what you want to create you have
create what you want to create you have
create what you want to create you have to make sure that beyond the intention
to make sure that beyond the intention
to make sure that beyond the intention that you put out there you put action to
that you put out there you put action to
that you put out there you put action to support the intention don’t say I want
support the intention don’t say I want
support the intention don’t say I want to be a millionaire but don’t take the
to be a millionaire but don’t take the
to be a millionaire but don’t take the activities to do it or I want to be the
activities to do it or I want to be the
activities to do it or I want to be the best at something but don’t practice it
best at something but don’t practice it
best at something but don’t practice it it’s important to understand that you
it’s important to understand that you
it’s important to understand that you are enough pieces you know you know put
are enough pieces you know you know put
are enough pieces you know you know put in the vision have the vision of what
in the vision have the vision of what
in the vision have the vision of what you want to become but you have to put
you want to become but you have to put
you want to become but you have to put consistent action behind that vision in
consistent action behind that vision in
consistent action behind that vision in order for that to manifest and it has to
order for that to manifest and it has to
order for that to manifest and it has to be consistent you know I have the good
be consistent you know I have the good
be consistent you know I have the good fortune bill was invited here by one of
fortune bill was invited here by one of
fortune bill was invited here by one of my fraternity brothers Louis Tobias and
my fraternity brothers Louis Tobias and
my fraternity brothers Louis Tobias and I remember many a day Louie and I Friday
I remember many a day Louie and I Friday
I remember many a day Louie and I Friday night we’re going to go to the party and
night we’re going to go to the party and
night we’re going to go to the party and we went to the party and we finished the
we went to the party and we finished the
we went to the party and we finished the party at 2:30 and three o’clock we were
party at 2:30 and three o’clock we were
party at 2:30 and three o’clock we were back studying so that we could do well
back studying so that we could do well
back studying so that we could do well on an exam on Monday it is the
on an exam on Monday it is the
on an exam on Monday it is the importance of knowing that it’s your own
importance of knowing that it’s your own
importance of knowing that it’s your own intention and your power and your
intention and your power and your
intention and your power and your actions that can actually lead to you
actions that can actually lead to you
actions that can actually lead to you know the outcome that is good that that
know the outcome that is good that that
know the outcome that is good that that you want to have manifest and the first
you want to have manifest and the first
you want to have manifest and the first and foremost important thing about
and foremost important thing about
and foremost important thing about running your own race is dreaming big
running your own race is dreaming big
running your own race is dreaming big and here I’m called back to my childhood
and here I’m called back to my childhood
and here I’m called back to my childhood when I was just starting elementary
when I was just starting elementary
when I was just starting elementary school at that point in time the Capri
school at that point in time the Capri
school at that point in time the Capri McCourt had just ruled that public
McCourt had just ruled that public
McCourt had just ruled that public school districts could pursue
school districts could pursue
school districts could pursue disaggregation by using forced busing to
disaggregation by using forced busing to
disaggregation by using forced busing to achieve racial balance in their schools
achieve racial balance in their schools
achieve racial balance in their schools in fact I started my own education as a
in fact I started my own education as a
in fact I started my own education as a first grader being bused to a school
first grader being bused to a school
first grader being bused to a school across town even though my father was a
across town even though my father was a
across town even though my father was a principal at a school five blocks away
principal at a school five blocks away
principal at a school five blocks away although I was a live subject in one of
although I was a live subject in one of
although I was a live subject in one of the nation’s most controversial legal
the nation’s most controversial legal
the nation’s most controversial legal debates I frankly didn’t know what the
debates I frankly didn’t know what the
debates I frankly didn’t know what the big deal was all about because these
big deal was all about because these
big deal was all about because these kids who didn’t look like me sure acted
kids who didn’t look like me sure acted
kids who didn’t look like me sure acted just like me but desegregation was a big
just like me but desegregation was a big
just like me but desegregation was a big deal to my
deal to my
deal to my parents and leaders of their generations
parents and leaders of their generations
parents and leaders of their generations knew a great new that great change was
knew a great new that great change was
knew a great new that great change was in store and it was the right thing to
in store and it was the right thing to
in store and it was the right thing to do and they often met with resistance
do and they often met with resistance
do and they often met with resistance and often violent resistance but because
and often violent resistance but because
and often violent resistance but because of their struggle their sacrifice I
of their struggle their sacrifice I
of their struggle their sacrifice I received a great gift and that’s the
received a great gift and that’s the
received a great gift and that’s the gift to dream big
gift to dream big
gift to dream big I knew my history I remembered the pride
I knew my history I remembered the pride
I knew my history I remembered the pride of my mother telling about when she took
of my mother telling about when she took
of my mother telling about when she took me and my brother brought us back to
me and my brother brought us back to
me and my brother brought us back to Washington DC and held me as a
Washington DC and held me as a
Washington DC and held me as a nine-month-old during the march on
nine-month-old during the march on
nine-month-old during the march on Washington when Martin Luther King laid
Washington when Martin Luther King laid
Washington when Martin Luther King laid out his dream for equal and harmonious
out his dream for equal and harmonious
out his dream for equal and harmonious meritocratic America and dreaming big to
meritocratic America and dreaming big to
meritocratic America and dreaming big to me meant knowing my history but not
me meant knowing my history but not
me meant knowing my history but not being bound by it it meant harnessing
being bound by it it meant harnessing
being bound by it it meant harnessing the past to drive me into the future
the past to drive me into the future
the past to drive me into the future it meant grounding myself and who I was
it meant grounding myself and who I was
it meant grounding myself and who I was and where I came from so I could soar to
and where I came from so I could soar to
and where I came from so I could soar to become where I wanted to become the
become where I wanted to become the
become where I wanted to become the sponsors of Robert Smith’s career only
sponsors of Robert Smith’s career only
sponsors of Robert Smith’s career only did so after I demonstrated that I’m
did so after I demonstrated that I’m
did so after I demonstrated that I’m willing to make the commitment to my
willing to make the commitment to my
willing to make the commitment to my career it’s a two-way street it’s not
career it’s a two-way street it’s not
career it’s a two-way street it’s not just oh here’s you know the person
just oh here’s you know the person
just oh here’s you know the person you’re going to sponsor make sure that
you’re going to sponsor make sure that
you’re going to sponsor make sure that they get on good deals no it is they see
they get on good deals no it is they see
they get on good deals no it is they see you in the office you’re grinding 100
you in the office you’re grinding 100
you in the office you’re grinding 100 hours you’re getting it done you’re you
hours you’re getting it done you’re you
hours you’re getting it done you’re you know you’re making sure there’s no
know you’re making sure there’s no
know you’re making sure there’s no mistakes and if there is a mistake you
mistakes and if there is a mistake you
mistakes and if there is a mistake you correct it you’re following up you’re
correct it you’re following up you’re
correct it you’re following up you’re reaching outside of your knowledge to go
reaching outside of your knowledge to go
reaching outside of your knowledge to go learn more when you do that sponsors are
learn more when you do that sponsors are
learn more when you do that sponsors are more than happy to then take credit for
more than happy to then take credit for
more than happy to then take credit for you okay and that has been my experience
you okay and that has been my experience
you okay and that has been my experience but it has all come through you got it
but it has all come through you got it
but it has all come through you got it you got it you got to demonstrate that
you got it you got to demonstrate that
you got it you got to demonstrate that that’s who you are and that’s your
that’s who you are and that’s your
that’s who you are and that’s your priority if it’s Friday night and it’s
priority if it’s Friday night and it’s
priority if it’s Friday night and it’s five o’clock your response we’re seeing
five o’clock your response we’re seeing
five o’clock your response we’re seeing you leaving because you got you know
you leaving because you got you know
you leaving because you got you know happy hour with your boys well guess
happy hour with your boys well guess
happy hour with your boys well guess what I mean and they’re there you know
what I mean and they’re there you know
what I mean and they’re there you know you got to be conscious of that that
you got to be conscious of that that
you got to be conscious of that that sort of stuff okay I like when they come
sort of stuff okay I like when they come
sort of stuff okay I like when they come back in on Saturday because they did
back in on Saturday because they did
back in on Saturday because they did come back and I’m wearing the same thing
come back and I’m wearing the same thing
come back and I’m wearing the same thing I wore Friday night right okay this
I wore Friday night right okay this
I wore Friday night right okay this guy’s dedicated to his crowd and so when
guy’s dedicated to his crowd and so when
guy’s dedicated to his crowd and so when this deal happens they’re happy to stand
this deal happens they’re happy to stand
this deal happens they’re happy to stand up and from the man
up and from the man
up and from the man principle of the firm at that time to
principle of the firm at that time to
principle of the firm at that time to say hey you know Robert did this work
say hey you know Robert did this work
say hey you know Robert did this work you see I mean so it’s a two-way street
you see I mean so it’s a two-way street
you see I mean so it’s a two-way street and sponsors you know again I have the
and sponsors you know again I have the
and sponsors you know again I have the opportunity and I do in my firm and
opportunity and I do in my firm and
opportunity and I do in my firm and build and develop people but we have and
build and develop people but we have and
build and develop people but we have and we do our reviews part of what we’re
we do our reviews part of what we’re
we do our reviews part of what we’re looking at you have that kind of grit
looking at you have that kind of grit
looking at you have that kind of grit and you dedicated to this Craig this is
and you dedicated to this Craig this is
and you dedicated to this Craig this is not a lifestyle business and if you want
not a lifestyle business and if you want
not a lifestyle business and if you want to make it a lifestyle business this is
to make it a lifestyle business this is
to make it a lifestyle business this is wrong business to begin ok so that’s in
wrong business to begin ok so that’s in
wrong business to begin ok so that’s in the world I live in that’s something we
the world I live in that’s something we
the world I live in that’s something we think about we talk about in that
think about we talk about in that
think about we talk about in that context that’s just nature so we look
context that’s just nature so we look
context that’s just nature so we look for you know again I will sponsor those
for you know again I will sponsor those
for you know again I will sponsor those and even my folks now who have not grown
and even my folks now who have not grown
and even my folks now who have not grown up with me in this business I sponsored
up with me in this business I sponsored
up with me in this business I sponsored them because I saw them putting that
them because I saw them putting that
them because I saw them putting that level of effort and energy and 15 years
level of effort and energy and 15 years
level of effort and energy and 15 years ago and guess what they still do it
ago and guess what they still do it
ago and guess what they still do it today in America education is not enough
today in America education is not enough
today in America education is not enough especially for us as african-americans
especially for us as african-americans
especially for us as african-americans you also need to have access to the
you also need to have access to the
you also need to have access to the economy and so as I’m not going from you
economy and so as I’m not going from you
economy and so as I’m not going from you know from elementary school to middle
know from elementary school to middle
know from elementary school to middle school to high school I started to
school to high school I started to
school to high school I started to actually think about what is access to
actually think about what is access to
actually think about what is access to the economy why did they live in that
the economy why did they live in that
the economy why did they live in that great house and a their father is a
great house and a their father is a
great house and a their father is a contractor but owns theirs own his own
contractor but owns theirs own his own
contractor but owns theirs own his own contracting business and yet down the
contracting business and yet down the
contracting business and yet down the street I had a friend his father worked
street I had a friend his father worked
street I had a friend his father worked for a contractor but didn’t own his own
for a contractor but didn’t own his own
for a contractor but didn’t own his own contracting business they lived near it
contracting business they lived near it
contracting business they lived near it near us and when I looked at that I said
near us and when I looked at that I said
near us and when I looked at that I said you know part of what has to happen in
you know part of what has to happen in
you know part of what has to happen in in my mind was I needed to and I wanted
in my mind was I needed to and I wanted
in my mind was I needed to and I wanted to become a business owner and that was
to become a business owner and that was
to become a business owner and that was early on so literally you know I started
early on so literally you know I started
early on so literally you know I started my first business when I was probably 19
my first business when I was probably 19
my first business when I was probably 19 years old I was selling golf balls and I
years old I was selling golf balls and I
years old I was selling golf balls and I go cut grass I did all those sorts of
go cut grass I did all those sorts of
go cut grass I did all those sorts of things because the fact no matter is I
things because the fact no matter is I
things because the fact no matter is I actually didn’t like where my brothers
actually didn’t like where my brothers
actually didn’t like where my brothers clothes until I was 14 years old
clothes until I was 14 years old
clothes until I was 14 years old you know I wore hand-me-downs basically
you know I wore hand-me-downs basically
you know I wore hand-me-downs basically into that period of time and I don’t
into that period of time and I don’t
into that period of time and I don’t know if any of you have experienced that
know if any of you have experienced that
know if any of you have experienced that but you know kids can be cruel in some
but you know kids can be cruel in some
but you know kids can be cruel in some respects but part of that also hardened
respects but part of that also hardened
respects but part of that also hardened to you to help you understand and help
to you to help you understand and help
to you to help you understand and help you to reach some of your goals and part
you to reach some of your goals and part
you to reach some of your goals and part of my goal was to be part of
of my goal was to be part of
of my goal was to be part of and an economic class in America where I
and an economic class in America where I
and an economic class in America where I could buy my own clothes the ones I
could buy my own clothes the ones I
could buy my own clothes the ones I wanted and buy the shoes that I wanted
wanted and buy the shoes that I wanted
wanted and buy the shoes that I wanted and all the places I wanted and one of
and all the places I wanted and one of
and all the places I wanted and one of the advantages of again having parents
the advantages of again having parents
the advantages of again having parents who wanted me to read and force me to
who wanted me to read and force me to
who wanted me to read and force me to read I got a chance to read a number of
read I got a chance to read a number of
read I got a chance to read a number of things and one of the things that
things and one of the things that
things and one of the things that inspired me early my life was actually
inspired me early my life was actually
inspired me early my life was actually believe it or not the James Bond novels
believe it or not the James Bond novels
believe it or not the James Bond novels because as I read them they took me and
because as I read them they took me and
because as I read them they took me and transported me to places that I had no
transported me to places that I had no
transported me to places that I had no idea actually really existed and if you
idea actually really existed and if you
idea actually really existed and if you ever seen any of those movies I mean
ever seen any of those movies I mean
ever seen any of those movies I mean they characterize them in these movies
they characterize them in these movies
they characterize them in these movies and I was like wow this is pretty
and I was like wow this is pretty
and I was like wow this is pretty terrific I want to figure out a way to
terrific I want to figure out a way to
terrific I want to figure out a way to actually get to that place and that is
actually get to that place and that is
actually get to that place and that is part of the impetus behind me working
part of the impetus behind me working
part of the impetus behind me working hard and also driving myself to to go
hard and also driving myself to to go
hard and also driving myself to to go figure out how to create an opportunity
figure out how to create an opportunity
figure out how to create an opportunity that I could actually make big and
that I could actually make big and
that I could actually make big and lasting and have an impact so when I got
lasting and have an impact so when I got
lasting and have an impact so when I got to Bell Labs they shared offices and I
to Bell Labs they shared offices and I
to Bell Labs they shared offices and I happen to share offices with a PhD in
happen to share offices with a PhD in
happen to share offices with a PhD in chemical engineering and this man had
chemical engineering and this man had
chemical engineering and this man had patents that were probably 30 pages long
patents that were probably 30 pages long
patents that were probably 30 pages long and he’d become one of my first mentors
and he’d become one of my first mentors
and he’d become one of my first mentors and on my first day at work as we got
and on my first day at work as we got
and on my first day at work as we got settled into his office he turned his
settled into his office he turned his
settled into his office he turned his chair around he kind of looked me up and
chair around he kind of looked me up and
chair around he kind of looked me up and down and held this computer chip in
down and held this computer chip in
down and held this computer chip in front of me and said this is an
front of me and said this is an
front of me and said this is an operational amplifier it’s failing in
operational amplifier it’s failing in
operational amplifier it’s failing in our Merlin systems out there in the
our Merlin systems out there in the
our Merlin systems out there in the field you need to figure out while it’s
field you need to figure out while it’s
field you need to figure out while it’s why it’s failing so we can fix it if you
why it’s failing so we can fix it if you
why it’s failing so we can fix it if you have any questions ask me and any turns
have any questions ask me and any turns
have any questions ask me and any turns around and so you see unlike today’s
around and so you see unlike today’s
around and so you see unlike today’s technically sophisticated high school
technically sophisticated high school
technically sophisticated high school students I had no idea what an
students I had no idea what an
students I had no idea what an operational amplifier was what it was
operational amplifier was what it was
operational amplifier was what it was supposed to do what this one didn’t do
supposed to do what this one didn’t do
supposed to do what this one didn’t do and so before the days of Google and
and so before the days of Google and
and so before the days of Google and Wikipedia we had this thing called the
Wikipedia we had this thing called the
Wikipedia we had this thing called the library and we and I went to the library
library and we and I went to the library
library and we and I went to the library and I pulled every book on operational
and I pulled every book on operational
and I pulled every book on operational amplifiers I could find I talked to
amplifiers I could find I talked to
amplifiers I could find I talked to everyone in the halls who would listen
everyone in the halls who would listen
everyone in the halls who would listen and ask questions and by the end of the
and ask questions and by the end of the
and ask questions and by the end of the summer not only did I have an idea about
summer not only did I have an idea about
summer not only did I have an idea about why this wasn’t working but I built a
why this wasn’t working but I built a
why this wasn’t working but I built a system that’s that simulates the field
system that’s that simulates the field
system that’s that simulates the field conditions that causes him to fail and
conditions that causes him to fail and
conditions that causes him to fail and then with my mentor self help we fix the
then with my mentor self help we fix the
then with my mentor self help we fix the problem
problem
problem my guess is even now I’m probably the
my guess is even now I’m probably the
my guess is even now I’m probably the most knowledgeable intern at Bell Labs
most knowledgeable intern at Bell Labs
most knowledgeable intern at Bell Labs on operational amplifiers in the history
on operational amplifiers in the history
on operational amplifiers in the history of that company but the important thing
of that company but the important thing
of that company but the important thing was a challenge from my mentor was more
was a challenge from my mentor was more
was a challenge from my mentor was more than to teach me something about this
than to teach me something about this
than to teach me something about this obscure integrated circuit it’s a
obscure integrated circuit it’s a
obscure integrated circuit it’s a challenge that has rich dividends for me
challenge that has rich dividends for me
challenge that has rich dividends for me over my entire career it is the joy of
over my entire career it is the joy of
over my entire career it is the joy of figuring things out what do you think
figuring things out what do you think
figuring things out what do you think the accelerators to success are
the accelerators to success are
the accelerators to success are particularly in environments where
particularly in environments where
particularly in environments where structures are not designed to help
structures are not designed to help
structures are not designed to help people succeed sure this is complex
people succeed sure this is complex
people succeed sure this is complex there’s an education piece then there’s
there’s an education piece then there’s
there’s an education piece then there’s a knowledge piece and then there’s a
a knowledge piece and then there’s a
a knowledge piece and then there’s a practitioner of a craft piece that all
practitioner of a craft piece that all
practitioner of a craft piece that all are important and you do need to have
are important and you do need to have
are important and you do need to have guides along the way at least if you’re
guides along the way at least if you’re
guides along the way at least if you’re a person of color okay
a person of color okay
a person of color okay and I and I say that because you know
and I and I say that because you know
and I and I say that because you know being a person of color I see the
being a person of color I see the
being a person of color I see the difference
difference
difference in my experiences versus others and you
in my experiences versus others and you
in my experiences versus others and you know in what their experiences have been
know in what their experiences have been
know in what their experiences have been and I wouldn’t say that it is it is who
and I wouldn’t say that it is it is who
and I wouldn’t say that it is it is who knows this overt or not I just can tell
knows this overt or not I just can tell
knows this overt or not I just can tell you what my experience has been so you
you what my experience has been so you
you what my experience has been so you know first of all you have to you have
know first of all you have to you have
know first of all you have to you have to do well enough max you know you have
to do well enough max you know you have
to do well enough max you know you have to be you know have a desire to be great
to be you know have a desire to be great
to be you know have a desire to be great at what it is you want to do first of
at what it is you want to do first of
at what it is you want to do first of all to do this business that’s the first
all to do this business that’s the first
all to do this business that’s the first thing and you have there’s there’s a
thing and you have there’s there’s a
thing and you have there’s there’s a fundamental base level of understanding
fundamental base level of understanding
fundamental base level of understanding of you know basic math you have to be
of you know basic math you have to be
of you know basic math you have to be good at it okay really good at it and
good at it okay really good at it and
good at it okay really good at it and then from there you have to understand
then from there you have to understand
then from there you have to understand and start to listen to the structures
and start to listen to the structures
and start to listen to the structures around how deals are done and there’s a
around how deals are done and there’s a
around how deals are done and there’s a whole fact pattern capturing that’s
whole fact pattern capturing that’s
whole fact pattern capturing that’s important that while you can listen the
important that while you can listen the
important that while you can listen the only way to really learn it is to do it
only way to really learn it is to do it
only way to really learn it is to do it and you have to become expert never
and you have to become expert never
and you have to become expert never talks about you know what is an expert
talks about you know what is an expert
talks about you know what is an expert well an expert someone who dedicates
well an expert someone who dedicates
well an expert someone who dedicates 10,000 hours to their craft okay it’s a
10,000 hours to their craft okay it’s a
10,000 hours to their craft okay it’s a lot of time not over 20 years but in as
lot of time not over 20 years but in as
lot of time not over 20 years but in as compressed the period of time as
compressed the period of time as
compressed the period of time as possible the advantage of going to these
possible the advantage of going to these
possible the advantage of going to these investment banks is in a in a heady
investment banks is in a in a heady
investment banks is in a in a heady environment that happens you know 100
environment that happens you know 100
environment that happens you know 100 hour work weeks right great and you know
hour work weeks right great and you know
hour work weeks right great and you know while all your friends so you graduate
while all your friends so you graduate
while all your friends so you graduate college with they’re going out on Friday
college with they’re going out on Friday
college with they’re going out on Friday night and Saturday your guess what
night and Saturday your guess what
night and Saturday your guess what you’re working and on set you’re working
you’re working and on set you’re working
you’re working and on set you’re working and on set you are working but that’s
and on set you are working but that’s
and on set you are working but that’s how you build you know that that fabric
how you build you know that that fabric
how you build you know that that fabric and in you know to be an expert at your
and in you know to be an expert at your
and in you know to be an expert at your craft you cannot do this business well
craft you cannot do this business well
craft you cannot do this business well if you’re not an expert at your craft so
if you’re not an expert at your craft so
if you’re not an expert at your craft so all of those things first of all you
all of those things first of all you
all of those things first of all you have to have structures an opportunity
have to have structures an opportunity
have to have structures an opportunity to see it then you have to dedicate
to see it then you have to dedicate
to see it then you have to dedicate yourself to it and then you have to have
yourself to it and then you have to have
yourself to it and then you have to have people who can help you understand and
people who can help you understand and
people who can help you understand and navigate to some extent you know why
navigate to some extent you know why
navigate to some extent you know why certain deals went one way and why
certain deals went one way and why
certain deals went one way and why certain deals went the other way and it
certain deals went the other way and it
certain deals went the other way and it is highly nuanced it isn’t something
is highly nuanced it isn’t something
is highly nuanced it isn’t something that you’re just you can just read in a
that you’re just you can just read in a
that you’re just you can just read in a case study you have to live it and you
case study you have to live it and you
case study you have to live it and you have to live it through the eyes of
have to live it through the eyes of
have to live it through the eyes of someone who has lived it and to use to
someone who has lived it and to use to
someone who has lived it and to use to the extent you see people who have lived
the extent you see people who have lived
the extent you see people who have lived it and you’re in that environment you
it and you’re in that environment you
it and you’re in that environment you have to now seek out the time and force
have to now seek out the time and force
have to now seek out the time and force that engagement of why it went one way
that engagement of why it went one way
that engagement of why it went one way versus another and see how that fits in
versus another and see how that fits in
versus another and see how that fits in the context of you know of this of the
the context of you know of this of the
the context of you know of this of the deal business so those I mean it’s it’s
deal business so those I mean it’s it’s
deal business so those I mean it’s it’s it’s complex and it is but the rewards
it’s complex and it is but the rewards
it’s complex and it is but the rewards beyond the personal rewards but you know
beyond the personal rewards but you know
beyond the personal rewards but you know the rewards are just astounding okay in
the rewards are just astounding okay in
the rewards are just astounding okay in terms of personal growth personal
terms of personal growth personal
terms of personal growth personal development and frankly the opportunity
development and frankly the opportunity
development and frankly the opportunity to then train and build others so that
to then train and build others so that
to then train and build others so that they can become experts in their craft
they can become experts in their craft
they can become experts in their craft and realize their dreams right so I
and realize their dreams right so I
and realize their dreams right so I think you know that’s the the arc of the
think you know that’s the the arc of the
think you know that’s the the arc of the opportunity there that is is in this
opportunity there that is is in this
opportunity there that is is in this world I mean it’s a rarefied air of
world I mean it’s a rarefied air of
world I mean it’s a rarefied air of people who are really good at this and
people who are really good at this and
people who are really good at this and you really get an opportunity to do it
you really get an opportunity to do it
you really get an opportunity to do it and practice it at a size and scale that
and practice it at a size and scale that
and practice it at a size and scale that matters you know in this world and I you
matters you know in this world and I you
matters you know in this world and I you know the importance of actually you know
know the importance of actually you know
know the importance of actually you know going through the process of
going through the process of
going through the process of understanding what the problem is and
understanding what the problem is and
understanding what the problem is and then figuring out yourself and every now
then figuring out yourself and every now
then figuring out yourself and every now and then need some help that’s fine
and then need some help that’s fine
and then need some help that’s fine but if you get too much help you never
but if you get too much help you never
but if you get too much help you never figure out how to do things and you
figure out how to do things and you
figure out how to do things and you don’t develop the grit and some of the
don’t develop the grit and some of the
don’t develop the grit and some of the older folks in this audience are shaking
older folks in this audience are shaking
older folks in this audience are shaking ahead you got to have grit and grin
ahead you got to have grit and grin
ahead you got to have grit and grin means getting turned away from things 14
means getting turned away from things 14
means getting turned away from things 14 15 times calling someone every two weeks
15 times calling someone every two weeks
15 times calling someone every two weeks you know every day for five months and
you know every day for five months and
you know every day for five months and then finally it materializing and
then finally it materializing and
then finally it materializing and something that you want and discovering
something that you want and discovering
something that you want and discovering the drawer and figuring things out means
the drawer and figuring things out means
the drawer and figuring things out means you know if you know for you know fight
you know if you know for you know fight
you know if you know for you know fight through those problems understand and
through those problems understand and
through those problems understand and learn how you address those problems and
learn how you address those problems and
learn how you address those problems and come up with the answers to those
come up with the answers to those
come up with the answers to those sulukim up to with the answers to those
sulukim up to with the answers to those
sulukim up to with the answers to those problems within the solution that is
problems within the solution that is
problems within the solution that is uniquely yours that’s an important part
uniquely yours that’s an important part
uniquely yours that’s an important part of growing up in solving problems
of growing up in solving problems
of growing up in solving problems because if you can’t solve easy problems
because if you can’t solve easy problems
because if you can’t solve easy problems now you will not be able to solve
now you will not be able to solve
now you will not be able to solve difficult problems later
thank you guys so much for watching I
thank you guys so much for watching I made this video because our levia white
made this video because our levia white
made this video because our levia white asked me to so if there’s a famous
asked me to so if there’s a famous
asked me to so if there’s a famous entrepreneur that you are made a profile
entrepreneur that you are made a profile
entrepreneur that you are made a profile next leave it in the comments below I
next leave it in the comments below I
next leave it in the comments below I don’t see what I can do
don’t see what I can do
don’t see what I can do I’d also love to know what of Roberts
I’d also love to know what of Roberts
I’d also love to know what of Roberts message had the biggest impact on you
message had the biggest impact on you
message had the biggest impact on you and why what was your favorite clip what
and why what was your favorite clip what
and why what was your favorite clip what did you learn from this how is it going
did you learn from this how is it going
did you learn from this how is it going to impact your life or your business
to impact your life or your business
to impact your life or your business please leave it in the comments below
please leave it in the comments below
please leave it in the comments below I’m gonna join in the discussion I also
I’m gonna join in the discussion I also
I’m gonna join in the discussion I also want to give a quick shout out to Jason
want to give a quick shout out to Jason
want to give a quick shout out to Jason Jay Rhys Fonseca from rides online.com
Jay Rhys Fonseca from rides online.com
Jay Rhys Fonseca from rides online.com Thank You Jay rice you’re picking up
Thank You Jay rice you’re picking up
Thank You Jay rice you’re picking up another copy of my book it really really
another copy of my book it really really
another copy of my book it really really really means a lot to me so thank you
really means a lot to me so thank you
really means a lot to me so thank you guys again for watching I believe in you
guys again for watching I believe in you
guys again for watching I believe in you I hope you continue to believe in
I hope you continue to believe in
I hope you continue to believe in yourself and whatever your one word is
yourself and whatever your one word is
yourself and whatever your one word is much love I’ll see you soon
I went to the same high school and these
I went to the same high school and these Denver as my father did Denver East High
Denver as my father did Denver East High
Denver as my father did Denver East High School and I remember taking computer
School and I remember taking computer
School and I remember taking computer science course and at the time they
science course and at the time they
science course and at the time they introduced this thing called a
introduced this thing called a
introduced this thing called a transistor which is the building block
transistor which is the building block
transistor which is the building block of computers for those who don’t new
of computers for those who don’t new
of computers for those who don’t new don’t know and transistors were invented
don’t know and transistors were invented
don’t know and transistors were invented at this place called Bell Labs which had
at this place called Bell Labs which had
at this place called Bell Labs which had a facility about 20 20 miles from my
a facility about 20 20 miles from my
a facility about 20 20 miles from my home and after that lesson I went and I
home and after that lesson I went and I
home and after that lesson I went and I dug up the telephone number to the Bell
dug up the telephone number to the Bell
dug up the telephone number to the Bell Labs facility and I called him I said do
Labs facility and I called him I said do
Labs facility and I called him I said do you have summer internships they said we
you have summer internships they said we
you have summer internships they said we absolutely do I said fantastic they said
absolutely do I said fantastic they said
absolutely do I said fantastic they said if you’re between your junior and senior
if you’re between your junior and senior
if you’re between your junior and senior year in college I said hey I’m a junior
year in college I said hey I’m a junior
year in college I said hey I’m a junior in high school I’m taking advanced math
in high school I’m taking advanced math
in high school I’m taking advanced math classes in future science getting all
classes in future science getting all
classes in future science getting all A’s just like being in college they said
A’s just like being in college they said
A’s just like being in college they said no it isn’t
so I called every day for two weeks
so I called every day for two weeks straight the HR director course stopped
straight the HR director course stopped
straight the HR director course stopped taking the calls after the second day
taking the calls after the second day
taking the calls after the second day and I left the message with my phone
and I left the message with my phone
and I left the message with my phone number then I called every Monday for
number then I called every Monday for
number then I called every Monday for five months and every time I call the
five months and every time I call the
five months and every time I call the receptionist just chuckled and she took
receptionist just chuckled and she took
receptionist just chuckled and she took my name and she took my number and she
my name and she took my number and she
my name and she took my number and she said we’ll get back to you if there’s an
said we’ll get back to you if there’s an
said we’ll get back to you if there’s an opening and I kept at it and to my
opening and I kept at it and to my
opening and I kept at it and to my surprise the human resources director
surprise the human resources director
surprise the human resources director called my house in June and said listen
called my house in June and said listen
called my house in June and said listen an intern from MIT didn’t show up we
an intern from MIT didn’t show up we
an intern from MIT didn’t show up we have an extra slot we’re not promising
have an extra slot we’re not promising
have an extra slot we’re not promising you anything but why don’t you come on
you anything but why don’t you come on
you anything but why don’t you come on in and interview now of course I knew I
in and interview now of course I knew I
in and interview now of course I knew I was the most qualified candidate for
was the most qualified candidate for
was the most qualified candidate for this job and the truth is I went in I
this job and the truth is I went in I
this job and the truth is I went in I interviewed I got the job
interviewed I got the job
interviewed I got the job so the important thing that I want you
so the important thing that I want you
so the important thing that I want you to think about here is the persistence
to think about here is the persistence
to think about here is the persistence to get that job led to meet working at
to get that job led to meet working at
to get that job led to meet working at Bell Labs for the next four years
Bell Labs for the next four years
Bell Labs for the next four years becoming a co-op student and ultimately
becoming a co-op student and ultimately
becoming a co-op student and ultimately finishing with the degree in chemical
finishing with the degree in chemical
finishing with the degree in chemical engineering from Cornell all from being
engineering from Cornell all from being
engineering from Cornell all from being persistent
”
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