By: Kye Kocher
Fayetteville, Ark. (UATV) – Graham Gary was a former University of Arkansas student, but decided to trade in a college degree for real world business experience. Gary dropped out of college after his Freshman year, and opened up a smoothie bowl food truck called Bondi Bowls in November of last year.
“I just realized that I wasn’t doing what I wanted to do, and I wasn’t on the path that I wanted to be on.”
While in school, Gary planned to major in small business and entrepreneurship. He knew he was not meant to be in college at that point in his life, but he also had a huge passion for business.
Gary said that God detoured him from college and into the direction of this food truck franchise. His eyes were opened to Bondi, and he knew that the food truck was God’s plan for him, but it wasn’t an easy decision to leave school.
“It was very scary. It was one of the biggest risks that I have ever taken,” he said.
Gary’s favorite thing about Bondi is their mission to serve and love the communities that they are in. He loves that he is able to love others, promote a healthy lifestyle, and also run his own business.
Gary values education, and plans to finish his degree one day, but for now, he is content with the experience he is getting outside of the classroom.
“I think for me, starting my entrepreneurship journey in a class wasn’t it, Gary said, “but it was starting it hands on.”
Gary said for now, he will just stick to making smoothie bowls.
College is not for everyone.
In fact, 1 in 8 of the Forbes 400 richest billionaires did not finish college.
Kylie Jenner never even attended college, and Forbes titled her as the world’s youngest self made billionaire. To be fair, Jenner came from fame, and used her family’s platforms to continue her wealth on throughout her life, so far.
Steve Jobs is another success story. Jobs did not come from as much wealth as the Kardashian family brought in, but money was not something that had to be at the top of his list of concerns. Jobs attended Reed College in Portland, Oregon, and dropped out after two years.
In another light, Oprah Winfrey did not graduate from college before starting her career. She also did not come from family money, and was only able to attend college due to her scholarships.
After leaving college Winfrey anchored at a local CBS station. Winfrey went back to school 12 years after she left, and completed the degree that she had started.
Having all odds against her, Winfrey is now worth $2.6 billion.
