Jim Mckelvey Quotes

Powerful Jim Mckelvey for Daily Growth

About Jim Mckelvey

Jim McKelvey is an American entrepreneur, artist, and philanthropist, widely recognized as a co-founder of Square Inc., the financial services and mobile payment company, alongside Jack Dorsey. Born on January 26, 1975, in St. Louis, Missouri, McKelvey grew up with a strong interest in art and science, which would later influence his career paths. He attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he studied ceramics and later earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. In the early 2000s, McKelvey co-founded Art.com, an online marketplace for fine art prints and wall decor. The venture brought him into contact with Jack Dorsey, who was working on his own startup ideas at the time. Their shared passion for solving real-world problems led to a serendipitous encounter that would change both their lives. The catalyst for Square Inc. was a frustrating experience McKelvey had while trying to sell his pottery pieces in person. The lack of a simple, affordable way to process credit card payments sparked an idea: a small device that could process transactions on the spot, using a smartphone. With Dorsey's expertise in software development and McKelvey's knack for problem-solving, they embarked on creating Square. Launched in 2009, Square became a groundbreaking solution for small businesses, enabling them to accept credit card payments quickly and easily. Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, McKelvey continues to be active as an artist and philanthropist. His artwork has been exhibited in galleries worldwide, and he co-founded LaunchCode, a nonprofit organization that aims to bridge the gap between tech education and employment opportunities. As a testament to his success, McKelvey was named one of Inc. magazine's 30 under 30 entrepreneurs in 2011. Today, Jim McKelvey stands as an inspiring example of how creativity, innovation, and determination can transform lives and industries.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The hardest thing about starting a business is finding someone to start it with you."

This quote highlights the challenge of finding a compatible co-founder or partner when starting a business. It suggests that beyond the technical aspects of entrepreneurship, the human element – building trust, sharing vision, and balancing skills – is often the most difficult part. Finding someone who shares your passion, complements your abilities, and can work harmoniously towards common goals is essential for the success of a new venture. The quote underscores the importance of choosing the right partner or co-founder carefully, as they play an integral role in navigating the complexities and uncertainties that come with starting a business.


"Failure is an option, but quitting isn't."

This quote by Jim McKelvey emphasizes the distinction between failing and giving up. It suggests that everyone may experience failures along their journey, but what truly defines us is our resolve to persist in the face of adversity. Quitting indicates a lack of determination or resilience, whereas continuing despite failure demonstrates courage, grit, and an unwavering belief in one's abilities and dreams. The quote encourages us to view setbacks not as dead ends, but as stepping stones toward success, reminding us that every attempt brings us closer to our goals.


"I have learned that when things get really difficult, the temptation to abandon your original vision can become very strong."

This quote by Jim McKelvey suggests that in the face of significant challenges or difficulties, it's natural for one to question or abandon their initial vision or goal. However, it implies that persevering through these tough times is crucial in order to maintain one's original vision, as giving up could potentially lead to the loss of an inspiring and valuable idea or ambition. In essence, it underscores the importance of resilience and determination in overcoming obstacles on the path towards achieving one's goals.


"There are a lot of people who think entrepreneurs are just out for money or power, and that’s not true. Entrepreneurship is about making something new and better than what exists now."

This quote by Jim McKelvey suggests that entrepreneurship transcends the common misconception of being driven solely by profit or power. Instead, it encompasses a passion for creating something novel and improving upon existing solutions. Essentially, it's about innovation and progress rather than just financial or personal gain.


"I don't believe there's such a thing as an original idea, only the relentless execution of one."

This quote suggests that true innovation or creativity lies not in the conception of ideas, but in the consistent and persistent implementation of those ideas. It implies that all ideas have likely been thought of before, but it's the person who takes an idea and turns it into a reality through hard work and dedication that truly makes it original and groundbreaking.


I've been totally replaced by people who are superior. I was doing, like, 15 different things. It's very gratifying to watch your job done better.

- Jim McKelvey

Doing, Been, Very, Gratifying

In December 1989, my mother died very suddenly, and that sparked a re-evaluation of what I was doing, and I realized I was mediocre at everything. I was a mediocre IBM employee, I was a mediocre entrepreneur, I was a mediocre artist. I decided that, although my mom wouldn't be around to see it, I wanted to be great at something.

- Jim McKelvey

Doing, Artist, Very, December

At Square, we got our tech up and running in three weeks, but it took us 18 months to get licenses, banking relationships and everything else we needed to be able to move money. We had to partner up with major companies to do it.

- Jim McKelvey

Needed, Had, Weeks, Everything Else

It's hard to shape glass. It took me years of practice, and as a result, I've never gotten bored with it. It's difficult. Every time I come into the studio, I've got some sort of new challenge. And something that I would like to learn how to do better, and the material never disappoints me.

- Jim McKelvey

Practice, Some, Studio, New Challenge

St. Louis is a customer- and partner-rich environment for any financial tech startup.

- Jim McKelvey

Environment, St. Louis, Tech, Startup

I am absolutely confident that St. Louis can attract major players in technology and make the companies that are here blossom.

- Jim McKelvey

Blossom, Here, St. Louis, Louis

It's obvious that St. Louis has certain advantages compared to other cities: namely, a concentration of financial services.

- Jim McKelvey

Other, St. Louis, Cities, Louis

I'm not particularly good at running things when once they get to a certain level. Once it gets routine, get me out of the way.

- Jim McKelvey

Good, Level, Particularly, Certain Level

This entrepreneurial energy that we have in the Midwest doesn't have to go out to the coasts to get fed and watered.

- Jim McKelvey

Go, Get, Fed, Midwest

Glass really rewards risk. A lot of times with glass, you're just waiting for the piece to cool down or for some temperature to adjust, and there's split seconds where you've got a fraction of a second where you get to make a move a particular way, and you don't get to repeat it if you do it wrong.

- Jim McKelvey

Down, Some, Particular Way, Fraction

I don't run any of my companies. I always partner with somebody who wants to operate.

- Jim McKelvey

Partner, Always, Companies, Operate

Personally, I don't want to do a lot of angel deals in a year. I get approached a lot. I'm becoming less and less polite, which doesn't seem to be helping. A lot of the things I get pitched on are from people who just want to make money.

- Jim McKelvey

Year, Becoming, Polite, Deals

When I was 19 years old, I wrote my first book. I took a computer science class, and the book was garbage. I thought I could write a better one, so I did.

- Jim McKelvey

Thought, Old, Took, Computer Science

Art is what can't be proven mathematically, right, it's where science ends. It's the part that makes you feel good, but you don't know why.

- Jim McKelvey

Art, Part, Makes, Proven

If you can't be persuasive to get people to believe your crazy idea, you can just go ahead and build it.

- Jim McKelvey

Go, Ahead, Idea, Persuasive

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