There are millions of rags to riches stories that have taken place throughout history, but many of them have gained little if any worldwide attention. With television, the internet, and the mainstream media as broad as it has ever been, success stories such as those of Mark Cuban have gained notoriety and have inspired many to believe that they can do it, too.

Most people who follow professional basketball have heard of the energetic and controversial owner of the Dallas Mavericks, Mark Cuban. Cuban is a man who went from selling newspapers door-to-door, to being a billionaire and living out his dreams to own a professional sports franchise.

Humble Beginnings

Mark Cuban started out his life as the son of lower to middle class working immigrants in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. During his teenage years, Cuban made a few extra dollars by selling everything from garbage bags, to powdered milk, to newspapers. Like most young boys, he dreamed of being a pro athlete, but his goofy coordination and lack of athletic prowess led him in another direction.

Making a Move

Cuban seemed to be a born businessman. After graduating from Indiana University, Cuban relocated to Dallas in 1981 and started a computer consulting company called MicroSolutions. With only a minimal background in computers, Cuban took his company to the top and eventually sold his stock in the company to CompuServe, a move that made him more than a millionaire in 1990. In 1994, Cuban started a joint business venture called AudioNet with a friend, Todd Wagner. AudioNet offered a service that made it possible for anyone around the globe with an internet connection to hear local broadcasts of sporting events anywhere in the world. Fans in Chicago could hear the local broadcast of their favorite team in San Francisco. The idea was a hit and the company was later renamed Broadcast.com. In 1999, Cuban and Wagner sold their company to Yahoo for an estimated $6 billion.

Living the Dream

Cuban purchased the Dallas Mavericks in 2000 and has breathed new life into a team that was once at the bottom of the standings and is now a top contender. Cuban’s winning attitude and drive to succeed are staples of what has made him a success and one of America’s richest businessmen.