Where My Journey Began

I never went to college. That tends to surprise people. In a world that often worships degrees and diplomas, I took a different path. I passed a proficiency exam in my junior year of high school, left early, and went straight to work. Looking back, it wasn’t rebellion—it was instinct. I’ve always been driven to learn, but I learn by doing, not by sitting still. And for me, the classroom just wasn’t where I was going to figure things out.

Now, decades later, I’m the CEO of ClearTV and have spent more than 25 years building businesses in media and finance. I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the biggest names in entertainment and technology. I’ve negotiated deals, led teams, and built companies from the ground up. And I’ve done it all without a college degree.

It’s not that I don’t value education. I do. Deeply. My wife and I insisted our daughters obtain university degrees-and they have. But I believe we’ve become too fixated on credentials and not focused enough on the kind of knowledge that comes from being in the trenches—taking risks, failing, learning, and coming back smarter.

What Experience Teaches You

When I started out, I didn’t have a safety net. I wasn’t part of a big corporate structure. I didn’t have a professor guiding me through theory. What I had were long days, real stakes, and the pressure to deliver. And while that may sound tough, it was the best education I could have asked for.

Experience teaches you how to solve problems in real time. It forces you to listen, to observe, and to adapt. There’s no syllabus for managing a crisis or closing a deal that’s about to fall apart. You either figure it out, or you don’t move forward.

Over time, I learned how to trust my instincts—but also how to refine them. I learned how to read people. How to build partnerships that last. How to turn a vision into something concrete, even when the odds were long. That kind of learning doesn’t come from textbooks. It comes from living it.

Breaking the Mold

One of the most rewarding parts of leading a company is hiring and developing talent. I’ve interviewed a lot of people over the years, and I can tell you that some of the most capable, creative, and driven people I’ve worked with didn’t follow the “traditional” path. Some didn’t go to college at all. Others left early, like I did, to chase opportunities that couldn’t wait.

That’s why I never judge someone by where they went to school—or if they went at all. I look at what they’ve done. What they’ve built. How they think. What drives them. Those are the qualities that matter, especially in business, where the landscape is constantly shifting and innovation comes from thinking differently.

I’ve always believed in giving people a chance based on who they are now, not just what’s printed on their résumé. That mindset has brought me into contact with some incredibly talented individuals who might have been overlooked by others simply because they didn’t check all the boxes.

Real-World Results

When I founded ClearTV, it was more than just a business idea. It was a chance to build something from the ground up, using everything I’d learned from past ventures. I wanted to create a network that offered value in public spaces, delivered great content, and could scale across industries and geographies.

To make that happen, I relied on practical knowledge—not theory. I used my understanding of branding, audience behavior, and partnership building to structure a platform that could succeed. And it worked. Today, ClearTV operates in the U.S., the U.K., and across Europe, with plans to expand into South Korea. Over our history, we’ve formed partnerships with over 200 content providers, from NBC and Disney to CBS and the Tennis Channel.

No diploma taught me how to do that. Experience did. And in my view, that experience is what truly equips leaders to lead.

The Bigger Picture

I’m not saying formal education doesn’t have its place. It absolutely does. For many people, college provides structure, community, and a solid foundation. But what I am saying is that it shouldn’t be the only path. And it certainly shouldn’t be a gatekeeper for ambition, creativity, or leadership.

The world is changing. The workplace is evolving. And the people who are shaping the future aren’t always the ones with the longest list of credentials. They’re the ones who take initiative. Who asks hard questions. Who aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty. Who fail fast and learn faster.

That kind of mindset can come from any background. And it’s time we started recognizing that more broadly—especially in business, where results should always speak louder than résumés.

What I Tell Young Entrepreneurs

When young people ask me for advice, I tell them the truth: your degree might open a door, but your grit is what gets you through it. Don’t be discouraged if your path doesn’t look like everyone else’s. Focus on building something, learning constantly, and showing up with integrity. The rest will follow.

And if you’re like I was—more interested in working than studying—don’t let anyone tell you that you’re less capable or less likely to succeed. The world needs doers just as much as it needs thinkers.

Leading without a degree isn’t about proving something. It’s about showing that there’s more than one way to grow, lead, and succeed. I’ve lived it. And I’m proof that the classroom isn’t the only place where learning happens. Sometimes, the best education is life itself.