What does it take to transform diverse experiences into entrepreneurial success? Jim Kelly's remarkable journey from politics to building a billion-dollar travel reservation system provides a masterclass in strategic career maneuvers and meaningful risk-taking.

Through this candid conversation, Kelly reveals the delicate art of finding mentors—not by asking vague questions about what to do with your life, but by approaching them with specific requests that inspire their guidance. This small distinction makes all the difference in cultivating relationships that propel careers forward.

Kelly's entrepreneurial story defies conventional timelines, having launched his tech company in his fifties during the early days of the internet. His innovative approach to hotel reservations—offering software for free while charging half the industry rate per completed transaction—revolutionized the space. The strategy that secured MGM Grand as a client and subsequently opened the entire Las Vegas market demonstrates how strategic thinking and clear storytelling turn vision into reality.

Perhaps most valuable is Kelly's insight about team building: "With the right team, you can do anything." This wisdom, particularly relevant for startups where only 2% survive, offers a roadmap for building organizations primed for success.

Ready to make your own daring choices? Kelly's experiences illuminate how skills accumulated across various fields create the foundation for innovation and leadership.

Purchase Daring Choices: Stories From An International Life in Politics, Business, and Technology

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