Join our Waitlist for Expert Advice!

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.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Most Popular

See all
Science & Technology

Don't Wait For Disaster to Strike — These 5 Preventive Measures Can Protect Your Business From All Kinds of Risk

In a landscape where cyberattacks, regulatory fines and reputation threats loom large, proactive risk management is not just an option — it's essential for long-term success.

By Randy Sadler
Business News

For Less than $50K You Can Start a BooXkeeping Franchise

A BooXkeeping franchise maximizes profitability by creating a network of small-business customers to make bookkeeping, financial data entry, reporting, and billing services as efficient and easy as possible.

By Matthew Goldstein
Business News

You Have One Month Left to Buy a House, According to Barbara Corcoran. Here's Why.

"If you are planning on waiting a year and seeing where interest rates go, you are out of your mind," Corcoran said.

By Erin Davis
Business News

'Unfair and Unjust': JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon Says Federal Banking Regulations Are 'Hurting Companies'

Dimon said it is "time to fight back" against federal regulations at a conference on Monday.

By Sherin Shibu
Leadership

How NFL Star Quarterback Kyler Murray Shut Down Internet Trolls and Turned His Love of Gaming Into a 'Call of Duty' Partnership

The Arizona Cardinals quarterback explains how he silenced critics and teamed up with the Call of Duty Endowment program to pursue his passion.

By Leo Zevin
Career

Personal Accountability Will Push You Forward and Help You Grow in Business and in Life — Here's How to Practice It

There is a startling lack of personal accountability today. Exercising personal accountability will push you forward both personally and professionally.

By Collin Williams