He Said No to Goldman Sachs. Said Yes to $3B+ — Michael Paulus' Journey from Underdog to Billionaire Builder | Ep. 192

In this inspiring episode of Founder’s Story, we sit down with self-made billionaire and serial entrepreneur Mike Paulus. From humble beginnings on a blueberry farm to founding multi-billion dollar companies like Adapar and Assurance IQ, Mike shares powerful insights into building businesses that last, navigating liquidity events, and why he still identifies as a gritty operator rather than a yacht-dwelling billionaire.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why saying no early in your career can lead to massive opportunity
• The underrated power of bootstrapping and how it sharpens your edge
• How to think like an investor—even as a founder
• The future of lean teams, AI, and the one-person billion-dollar business
• Practical advice for young professionals entering the workforce today
• What it means to build with conviction and stay close to the customer

Quotes to Remember:

“I like to think of myself as the underdog, even now.”

“Your customer is your real boss—not the VC.”

“Put your investor hat on before you commit your time.”

“Find a rocket ship. Don’t ask what seat. Just get on.”

Follow Mike Paulus:

💼 LinkedIn

🌐 EncoreInvestment.com

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