Behind I Failed Kindergarten

The name "I Failed Kindergarten" captures a journey that started with adversity, evolved through grit, and culminated in undeniable success. It’s a story rooted in resilience, determination, and the power of proving others—and even your own doubts—wrong.

I grew up in Lakeville, Minnesota, and attended JFK Elementary School. Back then, I used to jokingly think JFK stood for "Jail For Kids"—a sentiment born from the struggles I faced every day in the classroom. Diagnosed with dyslexia and ADHD, I couldn’t seem to find my rhythm in a traditional school environment. Kindergarten was especially tough, and as you might have guessed, I failed. That early setback was just the first of many obstacles I would face in my academic journey.

School never got easier. By the fourth grade, my English teacher bluntly told me, "You will never amount to anything." Words like those can break a kid—or light a fire. For me, they became a spark. Though I continued to struggle all the way through college, I refused to give up. My perseverance paid off when I graduated college with a 3.8 GPA, proving to myself and others that my challenges didn’t define my potential.

Life after school brought its own hurdles. Growing up in a single-parent household taught me the value of hard work and resilience, but financial hardships followed me into adulthood. By 2007, I was on the verge of bankruptcy. It was a critical moment in my life when I had to humble myself and accept a loan from my father-in-law—a turning point that allowed me to keep going when it felt like I had nothing left.

Since then, my journey has been one of growth and triumph. Today, I own several successful companies generating millions of dollars in revenue annually. I’ve built a portfolio of hundreds of rental properties and have sold over 2,900 residential homes throughout my career. The same boy who was told he’d never amount to anything now manages thriving businesses and creates opportunities for others.

"I Failed Kindergarten" isn’t just a website name; it’s a badge of honor and a testament to the belief that your starting point doesn’t determine your destination. It’s a message to anyone who’s been told they’re not enough or who feels like the odds are stacked against them: Success is still within your grasp. With determination, humility, and the courage to keep going, you can rewrite your story—just like I did.