told him I wanted to learn to fly； but really I wanted to learn to lead troops。 Rich dad explained to me that the hardest part of running a pany is managing people。 He had spent three years in the Army； my educated dad was draft…exempt。 Rich dad told me of the value of learning to lead men into dangerous situations。 〃Leadership is what you need to learn next；〃 he said。 〃If you're not a good leader； you'll get shot in the back； just like they do in business。〃
Returning from Vietnam in 1973；1 resigned my mission； even though I loved flying。 I found a job with Xerox Corp。 I joined it for one reason； and it was not for the benefits。 I was a shy person； and the thought of selling was the most frightening subject in the world。 Xerox has one of the best sales…training programs in America。
Rich dad was proud of me。 My educated dad was ashamed。 Being an intellectual； he thought that salespeople were below him。 I worked with Xerox for four years until I overcame my fear of knocking on doors and being rejected。 Once I could consistently be in the top five in sales； I again resigned and moved on； leaving behind another great career with an excellent pany。
In 1977；1 formed my first pany。 Rich dad had groomed Mike and me to take over panies。 So I now had to learn to form them and put them together。 My first product； the nylon and velcro wallet； was manufactured in the Far East and shipped to a warehouse in New York； near where I had gone to school。 My formal education was plete； and it was time to test my wings。 If I failed； I went broke。 Rich dad
thought it best to go broke before 30。 〃You still have time to recover〃
was his advice。 On the eve of my 30th birthday； my first shipment left ；；
Korea for New York。
Today； I still