Successful people without any education

[Stormy Kromer]

Reminds me of a joke I heard many, many years ago.

Ole moved from his home in Norway to find a new life in America. He ended up in Anchorage Alaska and got a job as a janitor at the local Lutheran Church. At his year end review the council asked him where he graduated from school. Ole replied "I almost finished 8th grade, but didn't quite make it through". The council gasped and decided that the job required someone who had more education and they let Ole go.

Ole was a fisherman in Norway so he got a job with an Anchorage fishing boat and ended up buying it out. He expanded his boats and crew and soon had the largest outfit in Anchorage. He had so much money he had to go to different banks to spread it around. When he was opening an account with a large bank in Anchorage the bank president met him and commented on his business success. The banker asked Ole where he went to college? Ole told him he never finished High School. The surprised banker said to Ole "Ole, Just think where you'd be today if you had finished High School and went to College !"

Ole replied in his best English "I know where I'd be...I'd be the yanitor at the Luderan Church in Anchorage".

 

[TOOLMAN]

I worked for a guy who was kicked out school in the 8th grade. His NW is > 6B

 

[GamblingMan]

I appreciate the anecdotes, but I think the average degree-holder outpaces the non-degree holder in lifetime earnings; just one metric of success. Google says by 74% just for Bachelor's.
It makes me feel good seeing my doctor's diploma from <Ivy School> on her wall.
I actually respect seeing any Doctor of Medicine diploma from any school, because of their dedication, skill, and most importantly, our need for them now-a-days.

 

[Lewis Clark]

Chuck Yeager did ok for himself.

 

[Stormy Kromer]

Chuck Yeager did ok for himself.

So did my neighbor Joe Fosse.

 

[FlaGator]

I appreciate the anecdotes, but I think the average degree-holder outpaces the non-degree holder in lifetime earnings; just one metric of success. Google says by 74% just for Bachelor's.
It makes me feel good seeing my doctor's diploma from <Ivy School> on her wall.
I actually respect seeing any Doctor of Medicine diploma from any school, because of their dedication, skill, and most importantly, our need for them now-a-days.

No question they are anecdotes, and the overall societal statistics are in line with your search results. But note no one ever mentioned a famous or effective cardiac surgeon who wasn't well-educated.

Not every job or opportunity requires advanced education, and there is plenty of money to made if you don't have a degree. How one finds the way to do so is the mystery for people like me who got on the college/corporate job train as soon as I could. I have a lot of admiration for those that stepped off the well-worn path, did it their way, are happy, self-supporting and maybe even very wealthy.

 

[momoney]

I'll never forget the owner of the company I worked for telling me about the owner of a garbage company. He said he was just a garbage man that started out by buying a truck and painting it really nice. He turned it into a huge regional trash company that was purchased by one of the big trash haulers. I don't know what his level of education was. It really gave me perspective not to turn my nose up at any opportunity. Not everyone needs a higher education to have an important significant impact on people's lives.

 

[Car-Guy]

I appreciate the anecdotes, but I think the average degree-holder outpaces the non-degree holder in lifetime earnings; just one metric of success. Google says by 74% just for Bachelor's.
It makes me feel good seeing my doctor's diploma from <Ivy School> on her wall.
I actually respect seeing any Doctor of Medicine diploma from any school, because of their dedication, skill, and most importantly, our need for them now-a-days.

Yes, I look at those too but often wonder, where did they finish in their class? At/near the top or at/near the bottom. I know a doctor who graduated from medical school, (not a big named school) but I'm not sure I'd want him treating me for much of anything.

 

[Stormy Kromer]

I was in business for 30 years. When I retired and sold my business I wrote off my bad debts, It was enough money to buy a new Cadillac. I called each of the people who owed me money to ask about their debt and they blew me off. One time I went to a client's home to collect. She told me to get out of their driveway because they had to take their kids to hockey practice and I was blocking their way. I was a chump. But I can sleep at night. Problem is, they all do too.

 

[kgtest]

I was in business for 30 years. When I retired and sold my business I wrote off my bad debts, It was enough money to buy a new Cadillac. I called each of the people who owed me money to ask about their debt and they blew me off. One time I went to a client's home to collect. She told me to get out of their driveway because they had to take their kids to hockey practice and I was blocking their way. I was a chump. But I can sleep at night. Problem is, they all do too.

Been robbed and extorted. I totally get it. My neighbor failed to pay me, twice for tree work. I've since shut down the business, and wrote it off on my tax return as a loss.

I don't have a college degree, but I have a larger NW than anyone in my family who does. I don't really think about it much, but I guess its a fact.

I've basically just grinded it out more than them, and it paid off.

 

[Texas Proud]

Been robbed and extorted. I totally get it. My neighbor failed to pay me, twice for tree work. I've since shut down the business, and wrote it off on my tax return as a loss.

I don't have a college degree, but I have a larger NW than anyone in my family who does. I don't really think about it much, but I guess its a fact.

I've basically just grinded it out more than them, and it paid off.

Just curious how you can write it off on your taxes?

If he did not pay you did not recognize any income to write off... am assuming cash basis as most small businesses are...

 

[427Vette]

I was in business for 30 years. When I retired and sold my business I wrote off my bad debts, It was enough money to buy a new Cadillac. I called each of the people who owed me money to ask about their debt and they blew me off. One time I went to a client's home to collect. She told me to get out of their driveway because they had to take their kids to hockey practice and I was blocking their way. I was a chump. But I can sleep at night. Problem is, they all do too.

I too had a handful of people who didn’t pay me. I was pretty fortunate that it didn’t really add up to much over the years. Maybe enough to buy a Volkswagen. Nonetheless it’s still aggravating how people beat you out of what you have coming. I always remembered that it was out of my hands and they had to answer for it not me. About 6 months ago I saw a customers name pop up in a news story. Apparently he was being charged with felony theft by swindle. He defrauded his employer out of $500K. The trial date was getting close and he opted to take his own life. After what he put me and presumably others through I honestly didn’t feel one bit sorry for him.

Somewhere in the Bible it says “vengeance shall be mine”…

 

[Gumby]

I too had a handful of people who didn’t pay me. I was pretty fortunate that it didn’t really add up to much over the years. Maybe enough to buy a Volkswagen. Nonetheless it’s still aggravating how people beat you out of what you have coming. I always remembered that it was out of my hands and they had to answer for it not me. About 6 months ago I saw a customers name pop up in a news story. Apparently he was being charged with felony theft by swindle. He defrauded his employer out of $500K. The trial date was getting close and he opted to take his own life. After what he put me and presumably others through I honestly didn’t feel one bit sorry for him.

Somewhere in the Bible it says “vengeance shall be mine”…

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Romans 12:17-19 (NRSV)

 

[rembrandt]

Yes, I look at those too but often wonder, where did they finish in their class? At/near the top or at/near the bottom. I know a doctor who graduated from medical school, (not a big named school) but I'm not sure I'd want him treating me for much of anything.

I get a little nervous if they have a diploma from the University of Grenada.

 

[finnski1]

Yes, I look at those too but often wonder, where did they finish in their class? At/near the top or at/near the bottom. I know a doctor who graduated from medical school, (not a big named school) but I'm not sure I'd want him treating me for much of anything.

Yes. The old joke is,what do you call someone who graduated last in his medical school class. Doctor

 

[Mr._Graybeard]

To me, Marc Cuban has to be one of the most admirable people among the uber-wealthy. He grew up in a blue-collar family, got his start in business selling garbage bags at age 12. Yet, when asked about the secret to his success, his answer is simply that he was in the right place at the right time. He says straight up that if he had to start over, the lightning probably wouldn't strike twice.

 

[Stormy Kromer]

Just curious how you can write it off on your taxes?

If he did not pay you did not recognize any income to write off... am assuming cash basis as most small businesses are...

Just curious how you can write it off on your taxes?

If he did not pay you did not recognize any income to write off... am assuming cash basis as most small businesses are...

I was working as in independent contractor in sales. I was responsible for collecting from my clients and had to pay the principal (less commissions) weather I collected or not. The principal sent me a 1099 for the entire amount, even the commission portion that I never collected. My CPA figured out what I could write off.

I failed to mention why I brought this up. The person & spouse I was referring to went to a prestigious college and commented once to me that they were surprised a person with a high school degree (me) could be working in the field I was in.

 

[427Vette]

I failed to mention why I brought this up. The person & spouse I was referring to went to a prestigious college and commented once to me that they were surprised a person with a high school degree (me) could be working in the field I was in.

That is so aggravating. I had a professor of business at a prestigious college call me for a service call. I got there and we actually hit it off pretty well and had a good conversation. He called me back out several times over the course of a few months. It was like he was breaking minor things just to have me out for the conversation. The last time I was there he said something like isn’t it crazy how uneducated people think they can actually run a business… I explained that I wadn’t edumacated attall. All he said was “amazing”. The next time he called he asked me if I would come talk to his students. I thought about it but declined.I should have probably went.

 

[pugs135]

I’m really enjoying this topic and seeing the success of others. I have a friend from high school who started a business while young. He still runs it and a bunch of his friends work for him. He has over the years owned restaurants, casinos, resorts and many other businesses. I don’t believe he was a great student in high school but he’s taken chances and it seems like almost everything he gets involved in works out in his favor. He’s just a regular guy when we hang out. I know from others that he’s very generous and looks after people who need some help. He’s a guy you’d love to emulate.

 

[Tetto]

I’m really enjoying this topic and seeing the success of others. I have a friend from high school who started a business while young. He still runs it and a bunch of his friends work for him. He has over the years owned restaurants, casinos, resorts and many other businesses. I don’t believe he was a great student in high school but he’s taken chances and it seems like almost everything he gets involved in works out in his favor. He’s just a regular guy when we hang out. I know from others that he’s very generous and looks after people who need some help. He’s a guy you’d love to emulate.

Know a guy or two like this too- love to hear they’re out there.

 

[iloveyoga]

I did not go to college and I worked with (and hired) many who did. I learned over the years not to bring it up and I would just nod along when people talked about their college stuff. I was able to get a lot of good education and training from my employer and I took every class I could. I was happy with with my outcome.

 

[2017ish]

I appreciate the anecdotes, but I think the average degree-holder outpaces the non-degree holder in lifetime earnings; just one metric of success. Google says by 74% just for Bachelor's.
It makes me feel good seeing my doctor's diploma from <Ivy School> on her wall.
I actually respect seeing any Doctor of Medicine diploma from any school, because of their dedication, skill, and most importantly, our need for them now-a-days.

The problem with stats like this is that they don't account for the IQ (much less the drive) of the people being discussed. By far, most people two standard deviations or more to the right go to college...

DW is MD, I was JD and we were academically very strong. We made more than decent money. But... IF I had chosen to follow my father as a mason, I wonder how I could have built a business. (But, the idea of laying brick when it was 33 degrees Fahrenheit made me the first in my family to go to college.) Same with DW. She wanted to be a surgeon at least since 5th or 6th grade and finished near the top of her med school class. BUT, if she had applied her smarts, personality, and drive to something else immediately after graduating from HS?

Also, the Supreme Court decision in Griggs v. Duke Power really skewed the table in favor of college graduates. Given that employers were/are barred from IQ tests for hiring, they are forced to defer to college admissions officers to do the same thing....

(And for Doctors--that degree may not be as impressive as you think, unless the holder is of east asian descent. It is mindboggling to read the mission statements of med schools today, which give some insight into their admission practices. And based on personal experience, not all lawyers who have a JD from Chicago or Harvard are competent.)

____

E.T.A. Sorry, enough screaming at clouds!

 

[Major Tom]

You might be surprised to find that there are a number of hams here. I'm also an Extra, and I got mine back in the days when you had to go to an FCC office to take the exam.

Extra class ham here too. I got my first license in the UK in 1978, when the exam was still written essay-type answers with hand-drawn schematics. We could choose whether to answer the questions by drawing solid state or tube circuits. I drew mine with tubes. Back then, the UK Post Office was the licensing authority. I had to visit a coastal station to take the Morse code test (at 12wpm).

Then I moved to the US. I didn't want to be bothered with sitting on different dates, so I took all the exams in one day, as well as the 20wpm code test, which was still required then. Fate must have been smiling on me, as I passed everything and got my Extra.

I don't remember any of the license exams being that difficult, but I wanted my license so badly, it was just about all I could think about at the tender age of 14. I wasn't that smart, but I ate, drank, and slept amateur radio. Up to a certain point, sheer desire can substitute for natural ability.

 

[VanWinkle]

I did not go to college and I worked with (and hired) many who did. I learned over the years not to bring it up and I would just nod along when people talked about their college stuff. I was able to get a lot of good education and training from my employer and I took every class I could. I was happy with with my outcome.

Lifetime learning can often outpace a degree that is never improved upon. Hard work doesn't measure education, just results.

 

[Midpack]

Just read Leonardo da Vinci by Walter Isaacson - da Vinci had no formal education, almost entirely self taught. Possibly one of the greatest minds ever, arguably the most creative genius who ever lived, and while he wasn't rich, he lived a very comfortable life thanks to a series of patrons. "The world has produced other thinkers who were more profound or logical, and many who were more practical, but none who were as creative in so many different fields."

Good quote from the book:

"Talent hits a target that no one else can hit. Genius hits a target no one else can see." Arthur Schopenhauer (one of my favs)