Self-Made Billionaire Michael Rubin: E-Commerce Is Rapidly Changing The owner of Rue La La, Fanatics and ShopRunner was bankrupt in his teens. But today, at 41, he is worth almost $3 billion.

By Catherine Clifford

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

Michael Rubin, a Philadelphia native, has been playing hardball in business since he was just a teen. His early days were tumultuous to say the least. By the time he was 16, Rubin was more than $200,000 in debt. But he has more than recovered: At 41, Rubin is worth $2.7 billion.

Today, Rubin is hyper focused on growing his three e-commerce businesses: fashion flash sale site Rue La La, two-day delivery membership program ShopRunner and sports-team gear site Fanatics. He says e-commerce is still a young and rapidly growing industry that stands to be changed as dramatically by mobile as the Internet has changed e-commerce.

Related

Why This Company Wants You to Change Your Underwear

Why Bitcoin's Future Is Bright

Catherine Clifford

Senior Entrepreneurship Writer at CNBC

Catherine Clifford is senior entrepreneurship writer at CNBC. She was formerly a senior writer at Entrepreneur.com, the small business reporter at CNNMoney and an assistant in the New York bureau for CNN. Clifford attended Columbia University where she earned a bachelor's degree. She lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. You can follow her on Twitter at @CatClifford.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business News

Costco Is Now Offering an Additional Exclusive Perk to Members in All 50 States

Members can now access discounted outpatient medical care through a partnership with healthcare startup Sesame.

Business News

8 People Hospitalized on JetBlue Flight Headed to Florida Due to Turbulence

The turbulent conditions occurred near Jamaica on a flight coming from Ecuador.

Business News

ChatGPT Will Soon Be Able to Speak, Listen and Have Instant Conversations

Open AI announced updates to the AI technology arriving in the next two weeks.

Business News

Dads Who Do This Simple Activity With Their Kids for 10 Minutes a Day Are More Likely to Raise High Achievers

The straightforward approach can give children an advantage over their peers.

Business News

He Won the $2 Billion Powerball Jackpot. Now He's Snatching Up Swanky Homes Across Los Angeles.

Thirty-one-year-old Edwin Castro took his winnings as a lump sum.

Money & Finance

Want to Become a Millionaire? Follow Warren Buffett's 4 Rules.

Too many entrepreneurs are counting too heavily on a company exit for their eventual 'win.' Do this instead.