Business owner to business owner

'Flight paths:' High-achieving entrepreneurs offer insight you can use

02 Jan 2022

Did you know just 10% of adults in the United States own a business?¹ It’s not for everyone.

Entrepreneurs create solutions to problems other people can’t see or haven’t solved. They take financial and social risks, forging a livelihood of their own making, instead of holding what you might call a “regular job.” Entrepreneurs serve the world—and find it rewarding.

Step inside the careers of entrepreneurs who have created successful businesses. How? Why? When? What kind of mindset enables a successful entrepreneur?

In our special report and video series, entrepreneurs from all industries and walks of life openly share their insight and experience with you.

UBS is proud to share the remarkable stories of eight entrepreneurs—and how they adjusted to a pandemic

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Watch and read about the entrepreneurs of ‘Flight paths’—and be inspired

Candice Carpenter Olson

Candice, the author of a book about transitioning through life’s many chapters, celebrates having learned to dance in the churn of change. She moved from wilderness instructor, to corporate VP, to creator of global businesses like iVillage, to wife and mother, to starting a coffee house brand and other businesses in Aspen.

Greg Gunn

Greg, a Rhodes Scholar and Oxford University and MIT graduate, was often the only Black person in many of the elite circles where his studies and business career brought him. Today, after starting and selling a $70 million business, Greg’s influence has grown and he works to champion diversity in tech and education.

Ron Gonen

Ron is spending his life creating ways to move us to a “circular economy,” where materials are constantly recycled. He created RecycleBank, worked for New York City as a sanitation commissioner and then established an investment firm that invests in companies that are building a circular economy.

Kay Koplovitz

Kay became obsessed in college by the potential for satellite transmission in broadcasting and built her career by launching and then running the satellite cable company, USA Networks. She then founded Springboard Enterprises, a venture capital accelerator for women-led high tech and life sciences companies.

Medina Jett

Medina found ways to succeed in the largely white worlds she inhabited since attending one of the most elite prep schools in the country as a seventh grader. Talent, drive and astounding corporate achievement placed her in position to start two successful companies, opening doors for others as she builds on every endeavor.

Gary Mendell

Gary left his very successful career as a founder of HEI Hotels, and then president of Starwood Lodging Trust, to start, run and grow Shatterproof, the only well-funded national organization working to alleviate the rising addiction problem in the United States, tackling issues state by state.

Bre Pettis

Bre applied his early teaching and artistic skills to leading the creation of the 3D printing industry as founder of MakerBot and author of the viral office poster, The Cult of Done Manifesto. Now, he is building a 21st century manufacturing and innovation center in a 19^th century manufacturing town.

Steve Blank

Steve made use of his Air Force career in electronics to start eight Silicon Valley companies, and then went on to transform how universities and learning institutions around the world teach entrepreneurship with his Lean Launchpad and I-Corp programs.

Barbara Roberts

Barbara interviewed the entrepreneurs of "Flight paths" and wrote the report. A serial entrepreneur, Barbara’s now an adjunct professor and Entrepreneur in Residence at both Columbia and Hofstra Universities.

Female founders

Every day, women entrepreneurs face specific challenges as they start and grow businesses—most need to overcome the “gender funding gap” and more. In another special report, three successful female founders share details about their journey, hoping other women can rise along with them.

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This whitepaper has been prepared by UBS Financial Services Inc. (“UBS”) and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It should not be construed as a solicitation or an offer for the purchase or sale of any securities, investments, strategies or products that may be mentioned herein, including estate planning strategies, or to participate in any particular strategy. Persons included in this report may or may not be clients of UBS but were not selected for inclusion based on any existing or prospective relationship with UBS. The recipient should not construe the contents of this report as legal, tax, accounting, regulatory or other specialist or technical advice, or services or investment advice, or a personal recommendation. No representation or warranty, either express or implied, is provided in relation to the accuracy, completeness or reliability of the information contained herein, nor is it intended to be a complete statement or summary of the matters or developments referred to in this report. This report should not be regarded by recipients as a substitute for the exercise of their own judgment. Any opinions expressed in this report are those of the respective persons and not of UBS or any of its subsidiaries and/or affiliates, and may differ or be contrary to opinions expressed by other business areas or groups of UBS as a result of using different assumptions and criteria. In addition, the information is current as of the date indicated and is subject to change without notice. UBS is under no obligation to update or keep current the information contained herein, and past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. UBS and its affiliates do not provide legal or tax advice. Clients should consult with their legal and tax advisors regarding their personal circumstances. Neither UBS nor any of its affiliates, or their respective directors, officers, employees or agents accept any liability for any loss or damage arising out of the use of all or any part of this report or reliance upon the information contained herein.

All opinions and views expressed in this paper are those of the author or respective persons and do not represent—and may differ or be contrary to—the views and opinions of UBS or its affiliates. The individuals profiled in this document were selected based on their experiences and professional history. Neither UBS, nor any of its employees or affiliates participated in any of the professional trajectories, corporate formations, capital funding, financing, sales, deals, transitions or other events discussed in this paper. This paper is not intended to be and should not be considered or construed to be a testimonial or endorsement of UBS or any UBS product or service. The individuals profiled make no representation regarding any experience or satisfaction with UBS or any UBS product and service. This material does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation or offer for the purchase or sale of any security and should not be relied upon as a basis for investment decisions. UBS, its employees, and/or clients may hold positions in the securities discussed in this paper.

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