Billionaire Kevin O'Leary

       I had the opportunity to be a part of a Kevin O'Leary seminar in Kitchener, Ontario on Tuesday September 22nd.

       Kevin O'Leary is fiercely opinionated -- and almost always right. O'Leary is known to millions across Canada as the former co-host of Squeeze Play, BNN's popular investment show, and as a judge on ABC's Shark Tank and CBC's Dragons' Den. On both Shark Tank and Dragons' Den, O'Leary ruthlessly grills entrepreneurs, which a) makes for great television, but b) serves to show them -- and anyone watching at home -- that starting a business and growing it is vastly complicated and requires much more than simply having an idea.

       O'Leary's track record in business gives him the force of authority. In 1993, with no money, he launched The Learning Company, which developed software that helped kids with reading and math. Six years later, he sold it to Mattel for 3.7 billion dollars, one of the largest tech deals in Canadian history. As an "Eco-preneur," O'Leary specializes in investments that make money -- and are environmentally friendly. In 2003, he co-founded Storage Now, Canada's leading developer of climate controlled storage facilities; in 2007, it was acquired by In Storage REIT, for $110 million dollars. He is also the co-host for Discovery Channel's Discovery Project Earth, which explores ways we can reverse global warming.
       A shrewd investor, O'Leary is on the investment committee of Hamilton Trust, and on the strategic advisory board of Genstar capital, a $1.5-billion private equity firm. He received his MBA from University of Western, Ontario, and now serves on the executive board of that schools’ Richard Ivey School of Business.
       From the moment he walked through the door until I left at the end, I thought I was in the presence of a rock star. Cameras were flashing constantly, and I must admit I was one of those people taking pictures.
       He began by speaking about some statistics regarding bonds, stocks, and the government (which I can say he does not like). Then he went on to discuss about how to maintain your business in today's market. In the end he spoke of his T.V shows he was doing, and his up coming projects. He was very informative and funny. He cracked a lot jokes about the government and even suggested that they put a cap on what they can spend in a year.
      Some points I would like to point out that I feel may help you in your business or in life. He listed some countries where he feels are great places to invest your money in (stocks). Countries such as, China, Hong Kong, Australia, Tawian, just to name a few. Also he gave us the "3 elements of investing" . First is Capital Preservation. Second is Income (growth), and third Capital Appreciation. People tend to invest based on Capital Appreciation, but Kevin suggested that in today's market it is smarter to focus on Capital Preservation. Basically focus on preserving the business for the future. Think of each dollar you spend and why you spent it. If you have to let go of a few employees to have enough work for the rest of them and to keep the business running then do it. He said "money has no soul, it doesn't care about you". Focus on cost cutting and saving your money to perserve your business rather then expanding and/or raisng prices.
      At the end of the seminar there was a question period and yes, someone did ask if he would invest in their business, and yes, Kevin said "NO". Someone however did ask when is a good time to sell your business and the answer was "whenever some comes knocking". Basically sell whenever someone asks and move on to the next new opportunity.
      He gave great advice and reminded everyone that the only person that matters in your business is the shareholders and you. Nobody cares as much about your business than you do. He said that nobody knows when the market will turn around but don't let that discourage you, and remember to keep cost cutting.
     The seminar was amazing and he just spent the last 11 months travelling 38 countries filming a new show for the Discovery Channel. He is a very smart man and a smart investor, one day I hope to be half as smart as him.
     I will take what I have learned from him and incorporate that into my business. I will never forget what he said and the day I met Kevin O'Leary.