The High School Dropout Who Made $2B & Bought an NBA Team

In this episode, Ryan Smith shares his remarkable journey from being a high school dropout with a GPA of 1.9 to becoming a billion-dollar entrepreneur and an NBA team owner. Ryan recalls how a series of personal challenges, including his parents' separation, impacted his educational journey and led him to drop out of high school without a clear plan or direction. At 16, he responded to an invitation to work with a tech company, which sparked his initial foray into the business world.

After navigating a tough start in South Korea where he found himself without a job or place to live, Ryan gained experience teaching English and eventually discovered a knack for sales that allowed him to earn $8,000 a month. This experience laid the groundwork for his later venture, Qualtrics, which he founded with his family after his father was diagnosed with cancer. Ryan discusses the challenges they faced during the early days of the business, the curriculum shock of turning down a massive acquisition offer, and the focus it took to build the company up to an $8 billion valuation and public offering.

He also explores key philosophies on business, the importance of unconventional thinking, and how he aligned his goals with those of successful investors like Sequoia and Excel. Eventually, Ryan's story circles back to his passion for basketball and how this passion led him to purchase the NBA's Utah Jazz. He emphasizes the importance of inspiration, hard work, and the ongoing journey of learning and growth, suggesting that the adventure in business is often more fulfilling than the destination itself.