"I dropped out" — When Shark Tank mentor Robert Herjavec opened up about his university experience

In an interview on Real Biz with Rebecca Jarvis, which premiered on the official YouTube channel of ABC News on June 2, 2016, Shark Tank mentor Robert Herjavec candidly discussed his experience of dropping out of university.

Reflecting on his journey, from a humble immigrant upbringing to becoming a successful entrepreneur, Herjavec shared how his decision to leave university stemmed from finding his business studies "boring." He revealed,

“I went to university to study business and I hated it. So six months in, I dropped out of university.”

However, his father’s strict response compelled him to return and complete a degree in English literature. This statement was part of a broader conversation about the challenges Herjavec faced, the lessons he learned from his early struggles, and his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

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Robert Herjavec's path from university dropout to tech success

After fleeing communism, Robert Herjavec and his family arrived in Canada with just $20 and a determination to build a better life. His parents took on modest jobs; his father swept floors in a factory while his mother worked as a receptionist. Reflecting on his upbringing, he shared,

“I didn’t know we were poor until we came to Canada because I grew up in a little village where everybody lived like us.”

Initially, Robert Herjavec didn’t plan to enter the business world. After returning to university at his father’s insistence, he earned a degree in English literature but found limited opportunities with his qualifications. Then, while exploring new fields, he was drawn to technology, for its focus on skill and value rather than background.

“The beauty of technology is nobody cares who your father is, nobody cares how much money you have, it’s all about value,” Herjavec explained

Herjavec’s career began in credit collections, where he gained foundational skills before transitioning to the tech sector. Eventually, his entrepreneurial path took off when he sold his first company for $30 million. This milestone allowed him to pay off his parents’ mortgage. Describing the moment, he said,

“I wanted to pay off my parents’ house. I paid off their house without telling them... It was great.”

Herjavec said that success is attainable for anyone willing to work hard and seize opportunities, reflecting on the key lessons from his journey.

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Herjavec’s take on education and entrepreneurship

Although Robert Herjavec initially dropped out of university, he later returned to complete his degree, motivated by his father’s encouragement. This experience shaped his outlook on education and its role in success.

Herjavec believes that practical experience holds greater value than attending prestigious institutions.

“Forget the better education; get an education and get some experience. That’s what really matters,” he explained, sharing the importance of hands-on learning.

Robert Herjavec also advised students to view rejection as a source of motivation and turn setbacks into opportunities for growth. Reflecting on his early career, he recounted how his first sales job taught him essential skills, including the importance of professional presentation and effective communication. Herjavec further said,

“Today is the best time in history to start a business. You have access to the same type of computing as big companies because of cloud computing, you have shows like Shark Tank... entrepreneurship is alive and well.”

These lessons became foundational to his later success. Furthermore, Herjavec pointed to the unique opportunities available to today’s entrepreneurs, fueled by advancements such as cloud computing and the widespread availability of business tools.

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