{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"The $12B CEO: \u201cHow I Ran 7-11 &amp; Blockbuster, Make $100M Decisions &amp; Almost Bought Netflix for $50M\u201d","description":"\u2705 Checkout SNHU Today: https:\/\/snhu.edu\/omarelattar (explore over 200 degree programs and find your path forward. Accepts U.S. students only. SNHU is a sponsor of todays video) \u2705 Business Owners \u2013 Wanna Grow Your Business w\/ AI? Try 30-Days of GoHighLevel Free NOW: https:\/\/www.gohighlevel.com\/passionate\/?fp_ref=omar-elattar-productions39 In this episode, we sit down with James Keyes \u2014 the former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster \u2014 to unpack how a poor kid from rural Massachusetts became the leader of two Fortune 500 giants. From working at McDonald\u2019s at age 15 to managing global brands and now advocating for education reform through his book Education is Freedom, James shares the gritty, real-life journey behind his success. If you\u2019ve ever felt stuck, unheard, or underestimated \u2014 this story will show you what\u2019s possible when you outlearn, outwork, and outlast the odds. &amp;nbsp; Follow Us: \ud83d\udcf2 OMAR's IG: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/omar_therockstar\/ \ud83d\udcf2 JAMES' IG: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/jkeyesauthor \u2705 Start Your Own E-Commerce Store Today: https:\/\/storebuild.ai\/passionatefew\/ (*BONUS \u2013 Get A FREE 7-Day Trial + 50% Off w\/ This Link Only) *StoreBuild.ai is a proud sponsor of this episode. \u23f1 Timestamps: 00:00:00 \u2013 Introduction to James Keyes 00:02:10 \u2013 Global Speaking Tour &amp;amp; Education Is Freedom 00:05:20 \u2013 Humble Beginnings in Rural Massachusetts 00:09:45 \u2013 Growing Up Without a Safety Net 00:14:30 \u2013 Choosing Integrity Over Trouble 00:18:50 \u2013 Apollo Era Inspiration 00:23:40 \u2013 Education as the Path to Freedom 00:27:30 \u2013 First Job at McDonald\u2019s 00:32:10 \u2013 Becoming a Shift Manager at 16 00:36:50 \u2013 McDonald\u2019s as a Business Classroom 00:41:30 \u2013 Why Systems Beat Talent 00:46:10 \u2013 Truck Driving &amp;amp; Factory Work 00:51:40 \u2013 Confronting Mediocrity Culture 00:57:30 \u2013 The Cost of Conformity 01:02:50 \u2013 Outworking the Competition 01:08:20 \u2013 No Master Plan, Just Momentum 01:13:40 \u2013 Graduating With Honors 01:18:55 \u2013 The Power of Great Teachers 01:24:10 \u2013 Leadership Equals Learning 01:29:40 \u2013 From McDonald\u2019s to 7-Eleven 01:35:11 &amp;nbsp;\u2013 Running Fortune 500 Companies 01:41:20 \u2013 Blockbuster &amp;amp; Innovation Lessons 01:47:10 \u2013 Education vs Entitlement 01:53:20 \u2013 Curiosity as a Superpower 01:59:10 \u2013 Advice for People Who Feel Stuck 02:04:40 \u2013 Education Creates Optionality 02:10:30 \u2013 Writing Education Is Freedom 02:16:08 \u2013 Social Media &amp;amp; Impact at Scale 02:21:11 \u2013 Final Advice for the Next Generation 02:26:30 \u2013 Where to Find James Keyes 02:28:40 \u2013 Closing Thoughts: Legacy &amp;amp; Learning \ud83d\udcda Want to Read His Book? \u2192 https:\/\/educationisfreedom.com OPPORTUNITIES \u2705 Want To Be Interviewed On This Podcast? \u2192 https:\/\/10uaa9uv3qq.typeform.com\/to\/R9eFoAK2 \u2705 Want To Sponsor An Episode? \u2192 https:\/\/api.leadconnectorhq.com\/widget\/booking\/Xsg05caSdBSby7yYNhCq  \u2705 Need Video Editors? Submit Here \u2192 https:\/\/forms.gle\/8rEbjWfm6WvMiQqF9 \u2705 Hire A Virtual Assistant For Your Business \u2192 https:\/\/a1jobs.com ","author_name":"The Passionate Few","author_url":"https:\/\/thepassionatefew.libsyn.com\/","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/39948445\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/000000\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/item\/39948445"}