How to Run Good At a Blackjack Desk Saves One of America’s Largest Corporations – I stare at this blank sheet of paper not knowing what to write because life will take turns between the time I write this column and the time you read it. In fact, I don’t even know if you’ll be reading this in a print magazine or if the whole Card Player issue needs to be digitally produced.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, I’m sure you’re aware that Nevada Governor Sisolak mandated the closure of “non-essential businesses” including casinos, bars, gyms and cinemas to stop the spread of the coronavirus virus. . I moved to Las Vegas in 1980, and since then, I can’t remember a time when all the casinos closed across the state. As it turns out, the last time a Las Vegas casino closed was November 25, 1963, and that occasion was the funeral of President John F. Kennedy.
Only time will tell how long the casinos will be closed, but one thing I do know is that in the meantime, we all need positivity in our lives. With that in mind, here’s a compelling gambling story involving the hugely successful entrepreneur, Frederick Smith.
Frederick Smith had to face many hardships during his youth. When he was four years old, his father died. Young Frederick developed an illness that threatened his ability to walk and, in fact, had to wear braces for years. He eventually grew out of it and went on to play football in high school.
He was admitted to Yale in the early 60s, and wrote a paper for economy class about his vision of finding a company that would supply overnight delivery with his own aircraft, depots, mailing stations and delivery vans. His professor was not impressed and gave him a C because he thought the idea was impossible. Smith graduated in 1966 and enlisted in the Marine Corps. He served two tour duties as part of an infantry unit and as a pilot in Vietnam. He was awarded a Silver Star, two Purple Hearts, and a Bronze Star and discharged in 1969.
After leaving, Smith bought a major interest in Ark Aviation Sales, a company that performed aircraft maintenance. He turned it into a successful company that bought and sold corporate jets. He then decided to pursue his idea of starting an overnight delivery company. He earned some venture capitalist money and raised it with his own money and started a business called Federal Express in the early 70’s.