Entrepreneurship is not a job but rather a way of life. Typical corporate workdays begin at 8 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. Entrepreneurs do not fall into that category. All-day, every day, they are available. A paycheck may not come for months. Those considering becoming entrepreneurs need to realize that they might be cleaning toilets in the morning and negotiating multimillion-dollar deals that afternoon. In conclusion, building a company is more like raising a child than working a 9-to-5 job.
Being a Trendsetter
Michael Gorton is a serial entrepreneur, bestselling author, and innovator. His companies have created tens of billions of dollars in wealth. Besides being a seasoned serial entrepreneur, he is also one of the best-selling authors on Amazon. As an entrepreneur, he has led public and private companies in various industries, including digital health, energy, healthcare, aerospace, and publishing.
Education and Intellect
A graduate of Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, and The University of Texas at Dallas, Michael holds a JD in Law, a BS in Engineering, and an MS in Physics. Numerous awards, over 30 white papers, 100+ articles, five novels, and a business book on mergers and acquisitions have established his status as a thought leader and best-selling author. His novel Forefathers and Founding Fathers, an historical fiction piece, became Amazon’s #1 bestseller in 2017. Broken Handoff, his latest book, is also named the #1 M&A Business book of 2019 by Book Genius.
An Adventure-Loving Nature
He has run eighteen marathons, is working towards his 3rd degree black belt in karate and has completed an adventure that encompassed 4,800 miles of bicycling across the country. He and his family have a goal of climbing the highest mountains in each of the 50 states. So far, they have completed 42.
Executive Career
In his executive career, Michael has led companies that have transformed their industries. These include Internet Global, Teladoc, Palo Duro Records, Principal Solar, Back To Space, and Recuro Health. Michael’s pioneering efforts in the founding of Teladoc was critical in the creation of the quarter trillion dollars digital health industry.
How to Be a Successful Entrepreneur?
There are three prerequisites to becoming a successful entrepreneur:
- You should have a good business idea or plan.
- In general, A+ teams can succeed with most plans. On the other hand, C-grade teams will struggle with A+ business models. So, you should have an enthusiastic and determined team.
- Persistence.
Inevitably, hard times will come. Times are tough even right now. Entrepreneurship requires absolute persistence. So, if you lack this trait, do NOT become an entrepreneur!
The Digital Health Industry
Mr. Gorton served as the CEO, Chairman, and Founder of Teladoc, a telemedicine company recognized by MIT as one of the world’s 50 Smartest Companies. Teladoc is now the world’s most progressive and advanced telemedicine company, valued at more than $20 billion on the NYSE. Gorton has launched a quarter-trillion-dollar industry in the telemedicine and digital realm due to his efforts, determination, and long-term vision.
Gorton is also working with Stephen Hochschuler and John Halsey from telemedicine and digital health to create a “real” healthcare system for people. From Q2 2021, Recuro Heath has started making acquisitions and announcements. Long term goal of Recuro is to add efficiency and technology to healthcare, lowering costs, improving health, and increasing vibrant longevity.
The Energy Sector
After Teladoc, Michael created Principal Solar, a public company that became one of the leading developers of sustainable electricity, building projects capable of powering approximately 70,000 American homes. In his early career, he led the establishment of the world’s first DSL network and one of the first national VoIP networks at Internet Global, transforming the company from a concept to the #1 ranked internet service provider in North Texas.
Back to Space!
Gorton is also a co-founder and CEO of Back To Space, LLC (B2S), a for-profit company launched with Apollo-era astronauts like Buzz Aldrin, Walt Cunningham, and Charlie Duke. It explains Gorton’s passion for space exploration. The Company is building a Guinness Book of World Records map of the moon alongside an event and concert facility that will be one of the most exciting and inspirational go-to destinations worldwide.
Mentoring and Advising
Michael is a strong believer in the fact that his success came from hard work, determination, and mentorship from those who believed in his dreams. Because of this, he loves taking the success and using it to help young entrepreneurs achieve even higher summits. He is often very open to LinkedIn connections, and when possible, supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs.
