World’s richest man? Five facts you don’t already know

Roy Latke
August 3, 2019

Jeff Bezos' mother gave birth to him at 17, while still in high school. She later married a Cuban immigrant, which is where the surname Bezos comes from.


His first job during high school was at McDonald's.


Jeff founded Amazon in 1993 as an online bookstore store. The original name of the brand was "Cadabra"- he changed it when his lawyer misheard it as “cadaver”. For the new name Bezos wanted a simple and clear name that started with A (so it would appear at the top of phone books). He chose Amazon after the Amazon river - the largest river in the world.


In January 2019 it was revealed the Bezos couple were divorcing after 25 years of marriage. Under the agreement Jeff will hold 75% of their capital And his ex-wife Mackenzie will hold 25%


Jeff Bezos is considered the richest man in the world, valued at $150 billion. Producing the most expensive series in history: Game of Thrones, for all 8 seasons, is estimated to be about half a billion dollars.

And now for the really interesting part: If you had invested $100 in Amazon the day it was issued (1997) - how much do you think they’d be worth to you today?

The answer: $ 120,000 as of August 2018.

Bezos built his startup empire and won over businesses aged 50 and 100. He built products, adapted them to changing markets, and never stopped innovating and reinventing his business - every year. The only way to survive in today's business world is to think and act like a startup. Even when you're one of the world's biggest companies.

Jolt. Teaching Startup Business.

So why do so few of us have creative breaks?

Because almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes. Including you.

Charles Darwin took long walks around London. Kurt Vonnegut made listening to jazz a daily priority. Fiona Apple disappeared for 6 years after the release of her third album.

So why do so few of us have creative breaks?

I ask because I can often be found agonising over the "more". If only I posted on Instagram more, I'll think in the bath. I'd have more followers if I pitched to more publications. I need to post 2 more times a week, minimum. I could go on...

Between you and me, I've got frustrated with myself for browsing Facebook or watching too much TV more times than I can remember.

And I'm not alone. So many of us are terrified of taking a break, creatively speaking. We won't let a moment pass without listening to a podcast, consuming an article or sharing something.

The cognitive load is real, y'all.

But like Vitamin D, sleep and good food, it's not only ok to take a break, it's essential.

Living a successful life is also about knowing when not to work. For your best output, you need to focus on your input, too.

The world won't end if you disappear from the internet for a week or so. Your creativity won't suddenly stop. Your time is now, but your time was also then and it will be again.

Your dreams don't have an expiration date.

Many of us confuse being "busy" with being constructive. But you can only do your best work by taking breaks.

And science backs it up, too. The brain requires substantial downtime to do its most innovative thinking. The ideas you have while driving or in the shower aren't coincidental. They're a result of you taking a step back, whether you're aware of it or not.

Here's a challenge for you

Let yourself take a wonderful and indulgent break. Several breaks. Hell, get downright bored.

Put airplane mode on for a while. Sit down. Lie down. Be still. Do nothing. Observe. Listen to your mind. Let it do what it does without judging it.

Wallow in it. Don't be afraid of it. Push it as far as you can.

When you leave your laptop behind, something always happens. A new idea or a fresh perspective appears.


"A spark of inspiration needs an empty cave."

Take proper breaks, often. Completely clear your mind. Your next best idea depends on it.

Could you get to the top 1% of your industry?

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