You know the old saying "it's not WHAT you know, it's WHO you know"?
Well, it should be more like "It's WHO you know AND WHAT you know" - in that order.
I didn't come up through life with many advantages. We didn't have a lot of financial abundance. And financial abundance is traditionally how connections are made and cultivated in this world.
For example, a kid in a summer soccer camp makes friends. The kid's parents make friends with other parents.
But if that kid's parents don't have the money to pay for soccer camp, they don't make friends. Same thing goes for private school, extra-curricular activities, and on and on.
Culminating in: College
The major advantage that folks who get a prestigious education have is not the quality knowledge that they gain (although that is important - see sentence two above),
- it is the connections they make while there
- and the connections they gain access to (people who previously went to that school)
- and the doors that open with a fancy piece of paper (called a degree)
I know many people that went to, and graduated schools like Harvard, Stanford, Yale, and Wharton. I know people that went to state universities. I know people who went to community college - and those who never attended college at all.
Here is how it breaks down FOR PEOPLE WITH A NORMAL 9-5 JOB:
* Those who went to prestigious colleges like Harvard aren't any "brain smarter" than my friends who are in construction. But right after school, they got an opportunity that launched another opportunity, and on-and-on, and now they are gainfully employed, well entrenched in corporate America.
They pull down a nice salary - but certainly aren't getting "rich". The notable exception to this is people who got into an EXISTING STARTUP company and got stock options. In some cases, these people ARE experiencing significant upside - but only through stock options and not their own company.
* Those who went to state university are just as "brain smart" as the Yale boys. But now they are middle managers. They are 9-5 guys. They go to their job, punch a clock and take home a pay check that is... embarrassing in some cases, and merely acceptable in most cases.
Most have resigned themselves to sitting behind a desk for the rest of their lives, and hoping the 401K, stock market, and their home provide for retirement somewhere around 65 years old.
* Those who never went to college are laborers. They are not "stupid" - they may be just as "brain smart" as the Harvard cats.
20 years after high school some have developed a skill that allows them to make the same kind of money that the "middle managers" above make. Most just work their ass off and drink beer on the weekends.
No judgement - that's a pretty nice life sometimes, right? But financially, they struggle - and they will never experience the finer things in life like a trip to Italy or a plush leather ensconced car with a new smell.
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There is no doubt - College Opens Doors
and creates opportunities
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I didn't graduate from college... I'm not ashamed to admit - I actually wear it like a badge of honor the same way Harvard guys are proud of thier schooling.
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Which reminds me of a good joke:
Q: How do you know when a guy attended Harvard?
A: Because he will tell you.
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And the reason that I tell you I didn't graduate from college is to drive home the next point:
Starting your own business is the great equalizer. No matter your financial background, education, or physical attributes - the only true and equal way to freedom and wealth is owning a business.
--> Which brings me full circle to the fact that WHO you know is more important than WHAT you know.
Two days ago, I was on a conference call with a guy who could put my new business in front of 2.5 million prospects with little more than the snap of his fingers.
That's a good guy to know, right?
I could toil away in my business for years, trying to build it from scratch, trying to convince customers that I'm better than the competition, that I have a better product, that I do it differently.
I could pay for advertising and measure conversions. I could become very efficient and grow incrementally.
And I plan to do those things with my business - because they ARE ALL IMPORTANT.
Except for the first thing.
I don't want to toil away for years.
Instead of doing that, I can make one phone call to a guy who controls 2.5 million qualified prospects - and get a huge jump start. More like a launch start.
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There are 2 things that I'd like you to take away from this:
* Start your business, and stick with the entrepreneurial mindset.
I have started 43 businesses. Not all were successful, but every one taught me something about business. Now, every time I start a new business, I bring a wealth of knowledge along with me.
* Cultivate your contacts. I didn't personally know the 2.5M prospect guy. I have a friend who knew him - and he put us in touch with each other.
Why do you think I interview experts and share those interviews with you? I've yet to ask somebody to share their thoughts with tens of thousands of entrepreneurs (you) on my list, and get turned down.
When I interview a topic expert I create a connection with a powerful person that I didn't previously have any connection to...
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In the end, your college education matters MUCh MORE if you plan to work for the man for the rest of your life...
If you don't end up at Harvard, and have to build your connections from scratch - you can still do it. It will take a little longer - and it WILL be difficult - but you can do it.
I am doing it...
Happy business building!
Travis
PS. I think July will be the launch of the Business Victory Club that I've been endlessly teasing... I'm finally satisfied with the content I have for you - I just have to finish the sales letter and plug everything in...
One thing I finally know - anybody who signs up for pre-notification will get one chance at a lifetime discount. Get on the pre-notification list here: