Business As a Launchpad To Space: The Jared Isaacman Story

On September 12, 2024, Jared Isaacman, not your typical astronaut,  completed the first private spacewalk, and history was made.

Now, you may ask, “Who’s Jared Isaacman… and why are you writing about him?

Well, Isaacman’s journey from a basement startup to the edge of space is the perfect embodiment of the Built To Exit strategy. His story illustrates exactly what entrepreneurship should be about – building a business that not only thrives but also gives you the freedom to pursue your wildest dreams.

This is the power of the Built To Exit mindset. It’s not just about creating a successful business; it’s about building a foundation that allows you to reach for the stars – quite literally, in Isaacman’s case.

Let’s dive deeper into Isaacman’s entrepreneurial journey and see how he turned a payment processing company into his ticket to space.

A Masterclass in Entrepreneurial Strategy

Isaacman’s journey is a masterclass in strategic business building.  At 16, while most of us were worrying about prom, Isaacman was working full-time at a payment processing company — and he kept his eyes wide open for opportunity.

Isaacman spotted inefficiencies in the payment processing industry that were screaming to be fixed.  But he didn’t just complain about it at the water cooler. He took action. He launched United Bank Card – which later became Shift4 Payments – from his parents’ basement.

 Back then, if a merchant wanted to set up a payment system, it was like pulling teeth. A month-long process, expensive credit card readers, paperwork that would make your head spin.

Isaacman’s solution: Slash the setup time to one day, provide free credit card readers, and simplify the application to two pages.

Between 2014 and 2017, the company expanded by acquiring multiple payment processing and point-of-sale companies, including Merchant Services Inc. – the very company Isaacman had worked for as a teen. Talk about coming full circle!

Isaacman’s company went through multiple rebrands and acquisitions. It transformed from United Bank Card to Harbortouch in 2012, then to Lighthouse Network in 2017, before finally becoming Shift4 Payments. Each change was a strategic move to better position the company in the market.

In June 2020, right in the middle of the global pandemic, Shift4 went public on the NYSE, raising a whopping $345 million through its IPO. The company even conducted its “roadshow” for investors entirely online—another example of its innovative spirit.

Shift4 Payments now processes over $200 billion in payments annually.

With his newfound wealth, Isaacman didn’t just buy a ticket to space — he bought the whole darn flight! In 2021, he bankrolled and commanded Inspiration4, the first all-civilian mission to orbit Earth.

But orbiting Earth? That’s so last year.

Isaacman had his sights set on an even bigger prize: the first private spacewalk.

Enter the Polaris Dawn mission.

On September 12, 2024, Isaacman made history by stepping out of the SpaceX Dragon capsule and into the void of space.

From what we can observe, Isaacman didn’t just create a successful business; he built a launchpad for his passions..

1. Clear Vision from the Start:  Isaacman built Shift4 Payments with a clear understanding of its potential and his long-term goals. This doesn’t seem to have been just about creating a profitable company; it appears to be about creating a valuable asset that could run smoothly even when he’s not in the office.
2. Strategic Growth: Each acquisition and rebrand appears to be calculated steps toward building a self-sustaining system that could operate without constant oversight.
3. Building Value Beyond Revenue: Isaacman focused on creating a company with strong fundamentals, innovative technology, and a dominant market position. This approach likely not only maximized the company’s value but also its ability to function independently.
4. Timing the IPO: The decision to go public in 2020, even amidst a global pandemic, showcases Isaacman’s strategic thinking. It seems he capitalized on the increased demand for digital payment solutions, potentially securing financial freedom without needing to fully exit the company.

From CEO to Space Explorer

The successful IPO of Shift4 Payments wasn’t an endpoint for Isaacman —  it was a new beginning, all while remaining CEO.

With the financial freedom and operational stability likely secured from his well-built business, Isaacman seems to have been able to pivot toward his true passions without stepping away from his role.

The Inspiration4 mission and the Polaris Program showcase how his business success appears to have become a stepping stone to pioneering private space exploration.

His business acumen likely provided the resources to take on challenges that were previously the domain of government space agencies, all while maintaining his position as CEO. This could be the power of building a business that doesn’t rely solely on its founder for day-to-day operations.

Moreover, Isaacman’s space missions aren’t just personal adventures. They’ve become powerful platforms for philanthropy, raising millions for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. His business success has amplified his ability to make a positive impact on a grand scale, showcasing how a well-built business can potentially be a force for good beyond its balance sheet.

Isaacman offers valuable insights for entrepreneurs looking to build their own launchpad to the stars:

1. Start with the End in Mind: Build your business with a clear vision of how it can serve your long-term goals beyond just profitability.
2. Create Transferable Value: Focus on building a business that has value beyond your personal involvement — this makes it more attractive for potential exits.
3. Stay Flexible: Be willing to pivot, rebrand, or acquire as needed to position your company for a successful exit.
4. Think Beyond the Business: Consider how your business success can fuel your passions and make a positive impact on the world.
5. Dream Big: Don’t limit your post-exit goals. Whether it’s space exploration, philanthropy, or another grand vision, let your business success be the launchpad for your biggest dreams.

The Final Frontier of Entrepreneurship

Jared Isaacman’s journey from a basement startup to the edges of space demonstrates that in business, the sky is not the limit.

By building a business with a clear exit strategy, Isaacman created more than just a successful company — he built a foundation for realizing his grandest ambitions and making a significant impact on the world.

When you build a business that can run without you, you’re not just creating wealth—you’re creating freedom—freedom to pursue your passions, push boundaries, and literally reach for the stars.

Isaacman’s journey from payment processing to spacewalking reveals the power of the built-to-exit mindset. He didn’t just build a business; he built a launchpad for his dreams. And that, folks, is what being built to exit is all about.

So the next time you’re knee-deep in spreadsheets or pulling your hair out over some business problem, remember Jared Isaacman floating in space. Remember that if you build your business right, if you create those systems and make everything predictable, you, too, could be pursuing your wildest dreams – whatever they may be.

 Maybe your version of a spacewalk is writing a novel, or climbing Everest, or just spending time with the grandchildren. Whatever it is, building your business the right way is your ticket to getting there.

So, as you build your business, ask yourself: What’s your endgame?

What passions or causes could your business success help you pursue? How can you build your company today to create the freedom to reach for the stars tomorrow?

In the world of business, with the right strategy and vision, even the cosmos is within reach.

Now, let’s build our own launchpad to the stars.