With no prior experience in restaurant or bar management, Larry was aware of the challenge that lay before him, but he was willing to make mistakes along the way – fail, fail again, and fail better. His experience selling cars eventually led to him taking a position for EF MacDonald as a travel advisor for company incentive trips, a job that would find him living in Morocco and Mexico in addition to traveling to Europe 10-12 times a year.Īfter gaining experience in the automobile and travel industries, Larry reverted back to his original goal of starting his own business and opened Newcom’s Tavern in Dayton’s historic Oregon District in 1977. But where to start? The answer to this question would come in the form of advice from a friendly neighbor – “if you really want to learn about business, go sell something.” So that’s exactly what he did, taking a job selling Volkswagens at a local dealership in Dayton. What started as a scrappy, two-man effort became a full-fledged staff of high school and college students who had built their reputation so well that they had more work than they could possibly do.įreshly armed with a college education, audacious dreams, and a relentless mindset, Larry was eager to make his mark on the business world. They went door to door and networked among family and friends to get customers. Larry’s entrepreneurial endeavors began as early as high school when he started a house painting business with his good friend, Mike McQuiston. Entrepreneurshipĭespite graduating from Ohio University in 1972 with two degrees – English and History – Larry always knew he was destined to start and run a business. Investing in people absolutely falls in line with Larry’s principles and values. Larry will conduct nationwide searches to find the best people in their respective fields and he will do the same for those with whom he works. He has made a habit of seeking the most astute trainers in their fields when he wants to learn something new whether it’s flying a fighter jet or starting a private school to lift children out of generational poverty. Who would have guessed that a kid whose parents were told that he would not be a good fit for college would go on graduate summa cum laude from Ohio University and someday invest in a ground-breaking private school dedicated to disadvantaged children who all too often are written off before they even have the chance to prove themselves?Įducation is still an integral part of everyday life for Larry. In his time at Ohio University, Larry was also one of 22 students out of 4,500 undergrads selected to the Ohio University J Club and would be named a Who’s Who of College Students twice. He would be elected Treasurer of the student government his freshman year and would go on to become the President of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. It is here where Larry had a lightbulb moment and would go from being a C student to excelling academically and getting straight As.įrom the first day he set foot on campus, Larry was determined and relentless in his pursuits. But Larry values education and has dedicated himself to life-long learning – it may just not look like the traditional classroom.Īfter graduating from Dayton’s Alter High School in 1968 with a 2.0 GPA, Larry attended Ohio University. His parents were told he should consider trade school. He lacked focus and couldn’t sit still in the classroom. The traditional school environment did not suit Larry. Today, having established himself as a successful real estate and technology entrepreneur and avid adventurist, Larry hustles through his day with the vigor of someone who won’t or perhaps can’t slow down, but always makes time to help others. He commits to his decisions after consulting with people who are knowledgeable and believable, and then he aggressively pursues audacious goals. Larry’s urgency around decision-making and communication comes from a deep-seated sense of responsibility for the people in his life – it always comes back to people. This deep commitment drives his decision-making even in difficult circumstances – especially in difficult circumstances.Īs the son of a Marine who fought in the Pacific in World War II, and whose mother aided soldiers with her Red Cross service half a world away in Europe, Larry makes decisions based on a sense of responsibility and self-accountability. Larry Connor lives as if he has taken an oath to his principles and values. Military recruits take an oath to defend the Constitution. Doctors take an oath to care for their patients.
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