How to Buy a Ski Resort (at Age 22)

Rick Schmitz was a 22-year-old graduating senior uninterested in pursuing a career in finance.

He saw a small ski resort for sale in his native Wisconsin. It had been on the market (and losing money) for 5 years.

Negotiated the original list price down from $1m to $625k.

Most banks rejected him outright for a loan, but gradually he cobbled together the purchase price.

17 years later, Rick has acquired and operates 2 other resorts in the upper Midwest.