At the age of eight, robert herjavec fled with his family from the communist regime in yugoslavia to canada. They left their home country with only a suitcase and 20 dollars in their pocket. In an effort to make the most of his opportunity to create a better life for himself, herjavec developed a strong passion for working hard, and it has paid off. Today, he is one of the best-known businessmen in north america. His company, herjavec group, is a toronto-based IT security company that reportedly generates $150 million in annual sales.
With an estimated net worth of $200 million, herjavec has committed to invest more than $16 million in 54 deals featured on abc's popular reality television show shark tank. He also played in canada's version of shark tank, dragon's den, for the first six seasons of the show. Below you will find an overview of how robert herjavec became a self-made multimillionaire.
Early life and school
Herjavec was born in 1962 and grew up on his uncle's farm in varazdin in what is now croatia. Although he was born into poverty, herjavec enjoyed his childhood. He says he had "only good memories" on the farm. During a CBC documentary of his life, he said, "i was lucky enough to grow up like this. We were financially poor, but we were never free of spirit, love, support or encouragement. In this small village I was important guy to my uncle. What a great way to grow up! "
Herjavec's father was often arrested for speaking out against the communist system in yugoslavia. To avoid future incarceration, herjavec's father decided to move the family to another country in 1970. Herjavec was eight years old at the time. The family moved first to italy and later to halifax in canada. In the end they settled in a small suburb of toronto.
For the first eighteen months after leaving yugoslavia, herjavec and his family stayed in a friend's basement. His father managed to get a job in a factory in mississauga, ontario. There he earned about $76 per week.
When herjavec arrived in canada, he had no understanding of english, but in 1984 he graduated from the university of toronto with a degree in english literature and political science. In a promotional video for the university of toronto, herjavec explained that he made the right choice when he decided to study english literature. He said: "the ability to communicate is fundamental to what I do. "In the same video, herjavec revealed that he barely had a social life at the university. According to him, he "just wanted to get in, get my degree and get a job. "
Beginning of his career
Herjavec began a career in the film business after graduating from college at age 22.During this time, he took on the role of assistant director for a handful of films, including "the return of billy jack" and "cain and abel". He also worked as a field producer for the 1984 winter olympics in sarajevo (back in yugoslavia). Herjavec later left the film industry to work in a technology company. As he once explained, "the problem i saw with the film business was that it was very relationship-driven. As a child who did not know anyone in toronto, I did not see an opportunity. A good friend told me about IT and what struck me immediately is that it's an industry based on what you can do today, not what you've done in the past or who you know or any of it. "
Herjavec quit his job as a film producer he was employed by a technology company that sold computer software, and although he was not qualified for the role, herjavec managed to get the job because he offered to work for free for the first six months of his service. As much as he could about the technology industry.He also took a series of entry-level jobs to pay his expenses until he received a permanent salary.These jobs included work as a debt collector and delivery of newspapers.Over time, herjavec was promoted to various roles in the company he eventually became general manager before being fired in 1990. (for more information, see why successful entrepreneurs sell out.)
Robert the mogul
After terminating his employment at logiquest, herjavec formed a company with warren avis, the founder of avis rent a car. His reason for becoming an entrepreneur was that he "had to pay his mortgage. "In an interview with inc. Magazine in 2012 herjavec declared:" i was fired! I was one of those who never wanted to start my own business. I never saw myself as a leader. I saw myself as a great number 2. I just wanted to do a good job and make a little more money each year. " He later sold his interest in the business for $60, 000.
Herjavec then started a technology company, BRAK systems, alone from his basement. The company quickly became the largest internet security company in canada. It was reported by AT & T, inc. (T TAT & T inc32. 86-1. 32% created with highstock 4. 2. 6 ) acquired in 2000 for $ 30. 2 million. After the takeover, herjavec took the role of vice president of sales at another computer company called ramp network. The company was shortly sold to nokia for 225 million US dollars.
In an effort to spend more time with his wife and children, herjavec took a break from his career for several years. In 2003, he founded a new company called herjavec group. The company provides information security services to other companies and has increased its annual revenue from 400.000 increased to 150 million US dollars. When asked if he had an exit strategy from the herjavec group, herjavec replied, "no, i'm not selling this one. Not for a long, long time. I am really inspired to build a billion dollar company."
Robert the investor
In 2006, robert herjavec became a household name in canada after starring in the hit reality television series" dragon's den. Hoping for a deal with at least one investor.Herjavec played the show for six seasons.He later became an investor on the american version of the show, shark tank.Over the seven seasons he was on shark tank, herjavec committed to investing more than $16 million U.S. In a number of small companies (read more: 5 things investors can learn from shark tank).