Principles, Not Steps: What Success Actually Takes | Full Episode

What does it actually take to become successful? For Solex CEO Kaj Larsen, there was never a simple ten-step blueprint. His journey started as a 12-year-old delivering newspapers seven days a week because he wanted a pair of Oakley sunglasses. Years later, after building a career, earning an MBA, raising a family, and investing everything he’d accumulated, Kaj watched his entire net worth disappear. His 401(k). His savings. His checking account. Zero. That devastating loss became a clean slate. In this episode of the Solex Podcast, Kaj shares the long road that followed, from going to law school and graduating at 40, to struggling for more than a year after graduation, giving plasma and substitute teaching while trying to support his family, to eventually building businesses and becoming the CEO he’d envisioned himself becoming years earlier. This conversation is really about learning to love the process, doing uncomfortable things, learning from failure, leading without needing the credit, recognizing the genius in the people around you, and developing principles that still work when life doesn’t follow the plan. The principle Kaj says changed everything for him: Gratitude. If you’re building something, starting over, chasing a goal that feels impossibly far away, or simply trying to become a better version of yourself, this one’s worth hearing. Say hi and send us guest recommendations, comments, suggestions and questions for future podcasts at solexpodcast@!solexllc.com! Send us Fan Mail