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America’s most successful veteran entrepreneur shared the secrets behind his success with National Guardsmen Saturday.
Bob Parsons told listeners at the 146th NGAUS General Conference & Exhibition in Detroit his time as a Marine made him a better businessman.
Parsons founded GoDaddy — an internet domain registry — before becoming worth an estimated $3.6 billion, per Forbes’ list of the world’s billionaires.
He is now the CEO of Parsons Xtreme Golf and an author who published his first book in May.
"Everything I have ever accomplished I owe to the Marine Corps," Parsons said. "They taught me responsibility is sacred, and it is.
"They taught me the importance of discipline," he added. "They taught me that I could accomplish far more than I ever dreamed that I could and that I had a right to be proud."
Parsons expanded upon some of the personal history that appears in his book, Fire in the Hole! The Untold Story of My Traumatic Life and Explosive Success.
He described challenges growing up in East Baltimore, Maryland, including struggling with school to the point that he failed fifth grade.
Parsons enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1968, entering the Vietnam War a year later and quickly seeing combat.
His adverse experiences in Vietnam made Parsons reevaluate his life and ultimately led him to prosperity.
"It was the closest I had ever come to an anxiety attack," he said of the Vietnam War. "It just occurred to me — I’m probably going to die here. I just accepted it. The moment I did, I was OK."
Parsons attended the University of Baltimore on the GI Bill after the war, eventually earning an accounting degree.
He then started a company called Parsons Technology, investing $15,000 in it before the business took off three years later.
"When you screw up in business, what you learn is what you shouldn’t do," Parsons said. "That’s as important as learning what you should do."
Parsons signed books at the NGAUS conference’s Minuteman Stage after his remarks Saturday.
The signing was a hit with conference attendees, with Parsons selling every signed copy of his book available.
Parsons also gave away 50 free copies of his book during his remarks Saturday, while PXG ran a golf simulator on the conference’s tradeshow floor.
Parsons’ appearance was part of NGAUS’ effort to have more health and leisure content at the association’s conference this year.
Retired Brig. Gen. Mike Oster, the association’s retired/separated director-Army, conducted a fireside chat interview with Parsons during Saturday’s conference agenda.
Parsons — who called his story "the American dream" — said his experiences had imparted valuable wisdom.
His full remarks at the NGAUS conference are available here on the association's YouTube page.
"Never expect life to be fair," he said. "You make your own fairness. We’re not here for a long time. We’re here for a good time.
"I believe we’re happy because we decide to be happy," Parsons stated. "It takes a little practice. But we all can do it."
— By Mark Hensch
