There are many paths to riches, some choose the conventional route of education, while others prefer the total opposite! Find out which of the famous entrepreneurs that went against the norm and still made it big.
Michael Dell (born February 23, 1965) Here
Founder: Dell Computers
Network: $12.3 billion (2009)
Michael Dell started s small computer business called PCs Limited whilst attending the University of Texas. The business was a rapid success consuming a lot of his time, that he decided to drop out of university. The company grew into Dell Inc.
A Michael Dell Quote - “People consume information better with their eyes”
Steve Jobs (born February 24, 1955) Here
Founder: Apple Inc
Network: $3.4 billion (2009)
Steve Jobs attended Reid College but very soon dropped out after only one semester. Totally penniless, Steve relied on his friends to offer him the floor space of their dorms from being homeless. After leaving the campus, he eventually found a job programming games for Atari. He later joined forces with Steve Wozniak to build personal computers and the rest was history!
Steve job Quote - “People don't know what they want until you show it to them."
Larry Ellison (Born August 17, 1944) Here
Founder: Oracle
Net worth: $22.5 billion USD (2009)
Larry Ellison brieftly attended the University of Illinois as well as the University of Chicago, but graduated from neither of them. Larry started the Oracle Corporation in 1977 with only $2,000 capital investment. The expansion of Oracle was enough to rival Microsoft coming closely behind them in second place. Larry now lives the life of luxury including 450 ft yacht, expensive cars and properties all around the world.
Larry Ellison Quote - "Anything is possible. We are not held back"
Ralph Lauren (born October 14, 1939) Here
Founder: Ralph Lauren apparel
Network 3.3 $billion
Ralph Lauren was known as an ambitious hustler from a very young age and sold neckties to his fellow students in High School. In his yearbook he stated that he wanted to be a millionaire! Ralph enrolled into Baruch College but never graduated. Instead of getting a degree he made history and changed the status quo within the fashion industry with his distinctive style.
Quote - “I don't design clothes, I design dreams”
Bill Gates (born October 28, 1955) Here
Founder: Microsoft
Net worth estimated:US$40 billion (2009)
Bill Gates was always fascinated with computer programming from an early age. Gates especially took an interest in programming the language programme basic. Gates enrolled at Harvard University but departed without a degree. Bill gates dropped out to fully dedicate his time to his business, Microsoft.
Microsoft will go on to make Bill Gates the riches man in the world
Quote - "Life is not fair; get used to it.”
David Geffen (Born February 21, 1943) Here
Net worth estimated: - $6.5 billion
Founder – Asylum Records, Geffen Records, Geffen Films, DreamWorks SKG
David Geffen dropped out of Texas Austin College at age 20. After dropping out, Geffen’s found a job working as an usher at CBS television. After he got a more promising job in the William Morris agent as a mail boy. Soon Geffen hustling ability started to get recognized which lead him to become an agent
Through hard work and plenty of business savvy decision, David Geffen created a record label, Movie Company and dominated the entertainment industry.
Quote - “I thought I'd be a success even back in the mailroom at William Morris”
Simon Cowell (Born October 7, 1959) Here
Founder: Fanfare records, Syco productions, X Factor
In 1975, Simon dropped out of boarding school and immediately worked through a string of odd jobs. Through his father connection Simon got his foot through the door by becoming a runner in EMI studios. Soon after Simon departed EMI and started his own record company fanfare, which enjoyed minor success. By the age of 30 Simon was declared bankrupt and forced to go live back with his parents. Soon he went back to EMI climbing from the bottom to the top of the music industry.
Quote - “Work hard, be patient, and be a sponge while learning your business”
Sir Alan Michael Sugar (born 24 March 1947) Here
Founder: Amstrad
Net worth estimated: £830 million, (US$1.162 billion)
Alan Sugar dropped out of Brooke House School in 1963 at the age of 16.
After leaving school, he worked for various jobs that required haggling and the ability to absorb information fast. Soon after, he decided to quit his job as he felt like an unappreciated asset to that business.
Alan decided to create his own destiny through buying and selling a diverse product range, such as cigarette lighters, car stereos and antenna’s etc. After many years of selling, he decided to create an electronics business, signalling the birth of Amstrad.
Alan Sugar Quote - “You can't learn to be an entrepreneur by reading a book. You can only find out by giving it a try”
Sheldon Adelson (born August 4, 1933) Here
Sheldon Adelson dropped out of the city college of New York
He made his wealth in real estate, casinos and worldwide exhibitions. One of Sheldon’s first moneymaking ventures was selling newspaper on street corners; he soon got the hang of it and as continued to create over 50 businesses.
Sheldon Adelson Quote - “For me, businesses are like buses. You stand on a corner and you don't like where the first bus is going? Wait ten minutes and take another. Don't like that one? They'll just keep coming. There's no end to buses or businesses."
Richard Branson 18 July 1950 (age 58) Here
Net worth estimated: $2.4 billion
Founder: virgin music group
Branson experienced difficulties at school due to his dyslexia. At the age of 16 he dropped out of school to pursue his magazine business called “Student”. He soon branched out into the mail order business and since then has not looked back diversifying in over 200 businesses.
Richard Branson Quote - “My mother was determined to make us independent.”
Russell Simmons (born October 4, 1957 in Queens, New York) Here
Russell dropped out of City College in 1977 at age 20. Instead of pursuing a degree in science he began promoting local hip-hop acts in clubs. Soon after he set up a successful record label, signing acts such as Run Dmc, LL cool j, making him a multi millionaire.
Russell Simmons Quote - I’ve been blessed to find people who are smarter than I am, and they help me to execute the vision I have."
Sir Philip Green (born 15 March 1952) The Retail King Here
Net worth estimated: £4.43bn
Left Boarding school at age 15
Phillip Green Quote - "The advice I would give them [graduates] is whatever you are going to do, if you don't enjoy it, don't do it."
Sean Combs AKA P.Diddy Here
Net worth estimated: US $346 million in 2006
Left Howard University at age 19
Diddy Quote - “Sleep is forbidden. If you work for me, you have to roll how I roll. I’m not really human. I’m like a machine.”
Mark Zuckerberg (Born May 14, 1984) Here
Founder: FaceBook
Left Harvard University at age 21
Mark Zuckerberg Quote - "I'm just lucky to be alive"
