Georg Kofler may not have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but today he’s more than successful enough to sit down to dinner with anyone in the world. How did he make his fortune? Not through inheritance, or winning the lottery, or discovering oil on his property; in fact, none of the popular ideas one might think of when they hear self-made millionaire apply to Georg Kofler’s success story. Here’s how Georg Kofler made his fortune: he invented it. How Georg Kofler Went From Rags to Riches
Table of Contents
Early Years
Georg was born in Linz on June 8, 1878. His father was a tailor and his mother was a seamstress. In 1894 he completed high school with honors and went on to study architecture at the Technical University of Vienna. How Georg Kofler Went From Rags to Riches
Business Ventures
Georg Kofler has a long list of business ventures and accomplishments, including his time as the Chairman of the Board for KOFFLER Manufacturing Corporation.
In 1996, he became President and CEO of Koch Industries, Inc., which is the second largest privately held company in America.
Kofler also founded Lincare Holdings Inc., a company that specializes in providing care for elderly patients.
He is currently Chairman Emeritus of Lincare Holdings Inc.
Legacy
Georg Kofler has been recognized as one of the great entrepreneurs of the last fifty years. He created an empire, but it wasn’t easy. While his success story is inspiring, it’s also a reminder that even if you have all the talent in the world and luck on your side, there are no shortcuts on the road to success.
Q.&A.
Q. What was his upbringing like?
A. He grew up in a poor, low-income household that eventually lost all its assets during the Great Depression.
Q. What did he do for work after high school? A. He started out as an apprentice locksmith and then later went on to become a professional locksmith and hardware salesman.