Sold Kinkos to Fedex | Co-Founder of GameStop & Author, Gary Kusin

This episode is a masterclass in leadership, scale, and hard-earned business wisdom. Jess sits down with Gary Kusin—founder of GameStop (formerly Babbage’s), former CEO of Kinko’s, and a leader behind one of the most impressive turnarounds in retail history—to unpack the lessons that shaped his career.

Gary shares the real story behind taking Kinko’s from negative EBITDA to a $2.4B acquisition by FedEx, what it was like working directly with Fred Smith, and the leadership principles he developed through decades of building and advising companies. This conversation goes far beyond business tactics—it dives into accountability, culture, and what it truly takes to build teams that win.

From raising capital to making tough calls as a CEO, Gary breaks down the difference between theory and reality in leadership. If you’re a founder, operator, or aspiring leader, this episode will challenge how you think about performance, people, and long-term success.

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