Jill on Money with Jill Schlesinger An American Story With Ken Langone
Jul 4, 2025
Ken Langone, a legendary financier and co-founder of Home Depot, shares his inspiring journey from a working-class background to becoming a business titan. He reflects on the value of education, the mentors who guided him, and the challenges of discrimination in the finance industry. Langone discusses the revolutionary inception of Home Depot and its impact on the market. He also dives into the complexities of capitalism and income inequality, emphasizing how upward mobility is attainable through hard work and smart decisions.
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Hard Work and Education Rooted
- Ken Langone grew up in a working-class family with educated parents valuing hard work and education for upward mobility.
- His mother encouraged him to work hard and get educated to live in a wealthy neighborhood someday.
Breaking Into Wall Street Sales
- Ken started on Wall Street after resisting discrimination, fighting through a market crash and negotiating to be paid a secretary's salary.
- He insisted on receiving all accounts not being serviced, showing boldness and perseverance.
Meeting Ross Perot and Closing Big
- Ken met Ross Perot and candidly challenged his pitch, leading to a 13-hour conversation and a lasting business relationship.
- They closed a deal at 115 times earnings, well above the unheard-of 100 times earnings benchmark.
