The High School Dropout Who Made $2B & Bought an NBA Team
About This Episode
Ryan Smith, founder of Qualtrics and owner of the Utah Jazz, discusses his unconventional path from being a high school dropout to building an $8 billion enterprise. The episode explores his 20-year journey of hyper-focus, the dynamics of building a business with family, and the strategic mindset required to turn down massive early exits in pursuit of a larger vision.
Episode Description
Show Notes
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Key Takeaways
Practice Extreme Hyper-Focus: Ryan spent 22 years strictly building Qualtrics without distracting himself with side hustles, angel investing, or boards, which allowed him to outperform better-funded competitors.
Use 'Work Backwards' Narrative Planning: Visualize the future media headline or success story you want to tell and use it as a strategic filter for current business decisions to ensure you are playing the long game.
Evaluate Careers by Attributes, Not Titles: Instead of chasing a specific role, prioritize opportunities that offer uncapped earning potential, leadership growth, and broad industry exposure to ensure your potential is never limited by a corporate ceiling.