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My undergraduate degree was in art history! Raising money…

“My undergraduate degree was in art history! Raising money for Chipotle was really my MBA. The money for my first restaurant came from my dad, the second from mostly cash flow. The third was an SBA loan. After my dad invested $1.5 million to open a few more, he suggested I raise the money myself…” quote by Steve Ells
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“My undergraduate degree was in art history! Raising money for Chipotle was really my MBA. The money for my first restaurant came from my dad, the second from mostly cash flow. The third was an SBA loan. After my dad invested $1.5 million to open a few more, he suggested I raise the money myself for the experience.”

Steve Ells

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

He learned entrepreneurship through hands‑on experience, using family support and loans to fund his restaurant chain.

In simple terms: He built his business by learning on the job and using various funding sources.

Key Takeaway

Leverage experience and diverse financing.

Themes

entrepreneurship family finance learning risk growth

Mood

determined pragmatic

Type

business personal journey

When to use this quote

  • starting a restaurant
  • seeking investors
  • scaling a business

Key Concepts

bootstrapping venture capital SBA loans family investment cash flow management

Questions to Reflect On

  • How did each funding source shape your strategy?
  • What lessons came from relying on personal networks?
A Different Perspective

Family money can create pressure to succeed quickly.

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