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Accidental CEO Built $2.7B Empire
2 Jul
Summary
- Prince landed a CFO role after being told he wasn't the right fit.
- He worked 90-hour weeks to prove his capabilities to Nike.
- He now leads a $2.7 billion empire and hosts polo events with Prince William.
J. Michael Prince's ascent to CEO of U.S. Polo Assn. began unexpectedly when he was told he wasn't a candidate for a CFO position at Converse in 2005. Despite being informed he was only filling the role temporarily, Prince committed to 90-hour work weeks to prove his detractors wrong.
This determination earned him the CFO position and set the stage for his future success. Prince later moved to U.S. Polo Assn. in 2017, becoming CEO within eight months. He now manages a global enterprise with 1,200 stores in 190 countries and engages in high-profile charity events.
Prince's career highlights include overseeing a $4 billion portfolio at Nike Affiliates and holding a COO role at Guess. His journey, originating from poverty, now includes co-hosting charity polo events with Prince William.
