Jim McKelvey

McKelvey interrogates the essence of entrepreneurship through his blend of innovation and resilience, illustrated in his various ventures. As a co-founder of Square, he transformed the financial services landscape, enabling small businesses to handle transactions more efficiently. His background in engineering and design propelled him into diverse fields, from glassblowing at the Third Degree Glass Factory to addressing the national shortage of programmers with the nonprofit LaunchCode. These endeavors reflect his philosophy of merging creativity with practical problem-solving to tackle unsolved challenges.\n\nIn his book "The Innovation Stack: Building an Unbeatable Business One Crazy Idea at a Time," McKelvey delves into building resilient businesses by stacking interdependent innovations. This concept offers a framework for entrepreneurs to gain a competitive advantage by creatively solving problems. His writing style combines humor with real-world entrepreneurial challenges, making complex ideas accessible. As an author, McKelvey provides a narrative that is both engaging and insightful, emphasizing the role of unconventional solutions in driving business success.\n\nReaders, particularly aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders, benefit from McKelvey's insights into fostering innovation and creativity in business. His work transcends traditional business literature by offering a blueprint for navigating modern commerce's complexities, underscored by his own experiences and achievements. His recognition, including having the Square card reader design inducted into the Museum of Modern Art, attests to his significant impact on industrial design and entrepreneurial thought. McKelvey’s contributions continue to inspire a new generation to embrace transformative ideas and disrupt established norms.