Paul Orfalea

Paul Orfalea was nicknamed "Kinko" because of his curly red hair. He was born in Los Angeles, California, of Lebanese descent, and founded the copy chain Kinko’s in 1970. Currently he is a visiting professor in Global and International Studies at University of California, Santa Barbara, and the Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies at USC (University of Southern California) Marshall School of Business.

Career

Paul started Kinko with the idea of providing college students near UCSB with services and products at a good competitive price. His first rental was so small that he had to put the copier on the sidewalk. He created an efficient operation by fast and friendly service, prudent use of space, and an automated system.

Kinko’s has become the leading business services chain worldwide, and is now owned by FedEx and called FedEx Office. There are 1,800 locations worldwide. Paul also hired people to sell stationery and other office supplies at the UCSB dorms.

Challenges

Paul co-authored “Copy This! How I Turned Dyslexia, ADHD, and 100 Square Feet into a Company called Kinko’s”. He has been quoted as saying, “I get bored easily, and that is a great motivator. I think everybody should have dyslexia and ADD”.

Instead of traditional ADHD treatment, Paul Orfalea , also a dyslexic, channeled his energy into productive activity of which he was passionate. He also co-authored “The Entrepreneurial Investor: The Art, Science, and Business of Value Investing” in 2007. In this book he explains the balance of art and science in investing. He founded the Orfalea Foundation which sponsors the television series, NOW, with David Brancaccio. Click here for the Transforming Child Behavior Home Page.

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