Jim McKelvey
Jim McKelvey
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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James Edward "Jim" McKelvey is an American entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on November 21, 1959, in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. Currently, he is alive.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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American, Entrepreneur, Investor, Philanthropist
Early Life and Background
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Jim McKelvey was born to a family of modest means in St. Louis, Missouri. Growing up in the city's South Grand neighborhood, McKelvey developed an early interest in art and music. He attended St. Louis University High School before moving on to study business at Washington University in St. Louis.
Major Accomplishments
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1. Co-Founder of Square: In 2009, McKelvey co-founded Square, a mobile payment processing company that revolutionized the way businesses accept credit card payments.
2. Artistic and Musical Pursuits: Before turning to technology, McKelvey was an accomplished artist and musician, even selling his artwork at local galleries.
Notable Works or Actions
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McKelvey has been involved in several notable projects throughout his career:
Co-founded Square with Jack Dorsey
Invested in various startups through his company, Launch Capital
Served as a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis's Community Depository Institutions Advisory CouncilImpact and Legacy
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McKelvey's entrepreneurial spirit and innovative thinking have left an indelible mark on the business world:
1. Square: The mobile payment company has transformed the way businesses accept credit card payments, making it more accessible and convenient for customers.
2. Philanthropy: Through his philanthropic efforts, McKelvey has supported various causes, including education and economic development initiatives.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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McKelvey's quotes often reflect his forward-thinking approach to business and life:
"The thing that I love about entrepreneurship is the opportunity to create something from nothing."
* "Entrepreneurship is not just about starting a company, it's about creating jobs, it's about creating wealth, and it's about creating opportunities for people."
As an entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist, Jim McKelvey has made significant contributions to the business world. His innovative spirit, commitment to community development, and passion for art and music have cemented his place as a notable figure in modern society.
Quotes by Jim McKelvey
If you can't be persuasive to get people to believe your crazy idea, you can just go ahead and build it.
I am absolutely confident that St. Louis can attract major players in technology and make the companies that are here blossom.
If you can’t be persuasive to get people to believe your crazy idea, you can just go ahead and build it.
When I was 19 years old, I wrote my first book. I took a computer science class, and the book was garbage. I thought I could write a better one, so I did.
In December 1989, my mother died very suddenly, and that sparked a re-evaluation of what I was doing, and I realized I was mediocre at everything. I was a mediocre IBM employee, I was a mediocre entrepreneur, I was a mediocre artist. I decided that, although my mom wouldn't be around to see it, I wanted to be great at something.
I'm not particularly good at running things when once they get to a certain level. Once it gets routine, get me out of the way.
Art is what can't be proven mathematically, right, it's where science ends. It's the part that makes you feel good, but you don't know why.