Howard’s Early Years
Throughout his life, Howard has found that the key to achieving success has been best exemplified by accessing the true untapped potential of those around us. Going back to his childhood, his teachers could not see his potential. All they saw was a kid with ADHD, Sleep Apnea, and Dyslexia. It was his mother who saw the untapped potential in him and advocated for him. She challenged the teachers to see it and make the right accommodations so that he could thrive, and she challenged Howard to see and go after his full potential. Howard credits his mother for his ability to have completed advanced studies at Harvard and the University of Chicago, earn an MBA, and become a CPA.
Following a similar path of most legendary entrepreneurs, Howard did not go straight to college. Instead, at age 18, he purchased his first company. From an outward view, he would have looked very successful since he sold it when he was 21 for a five times ROI. However, when reflecting upon the experience, Howard admits to making several missteps in his leadership. This was the first time Howard felt the cost of failing to unlock the true untapped potential of his people.