Robert’s First Business Failure

Rich Dad Poor Dad

This thread follows Robert T. Kiyosaki’s early ambition through a failed counterfeit scheme and toward a small, lawful business experiment.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Question of Wealth A Question of Wealth from "Rich Dad Poor Dad". The Search Begins A Child’s Ambition The social exclusion that begins Robert’s question about wealth gives his ambition a personal source.

A Question of Wealth from "Rich Dad Poor Dad". The Search Begins A Child’s Ambition The social exclusion that begins Robert’s question about wealth gives his ambition a personal source.

The Search Begins A Child’s Ambition The social exclusion that begins Robert’s question about wealth gives his ambition a personal source. He wants to understand what separates his family from classmates with visible advantages. Limited Guidance Poor Dad’s response offers encouragement but not a workable method. Robert therefore joins Mike in inventing an answer through action.

The Lead-Coin Plan The Lead-Coin Plan from "Rich Dad Poor Dad". Making Money Literally Materials Gathered Robert and Mike collect used toothpaste tubes and prepare molds, trying to turn discarded material into coins.

The Lead-Coin Plan from "Rich Dad Poor Dad". Making Money Literally Materials Gathered Robert and Mike collect used toothpaste tubes and prepare molds, trying to turn discarded material into coins.

Making Money Literally Materials Gathered Robert and Mike collect used toothpaste tubes and prepare molds, trying to turn discarded material into coins. Their project reveals creativity and willingness to work, even as their understanding of law remains incomplete. An Immediate Failure Their first production attempt ends when adults identify the coins as counterfeit. The episode closes the venture but preserves its lesson about the boundary between inventive effort and legitimate enterprise.

The Mentor Referral The Mentor Referral from "Rich Dad Poor Dad". A New Teacher Poor Dad’s Suggestion Poor Dad admits he cannot teach the boys how to make money and directs them to Mike’s father.

The Mentor Referral from "Rich Dad Poor Dad". A New Teacher Poor Dad’s Suggestion Poor Dad admits he cannot teach the boys how to make money and directs them to Mike’s father.

A New Teacher Poor Dad’s Suggestion Poor Dad admits he cannot teach the boys how to make money and directs them to Mike’s father. His humility contrasts with the certainty of his general career advice. A Door Opens The boys ask for instruction and receive an offer to work in exchange for lessons. The failed scheme thus leads them toward a more sustained apprenticeship.

A Business in Comics A Business in Comics from "Rich Dad Poor Dad". Reuse and Organization A Resource Identified Robert realizes the books discarded by a distributor can be repurposed without violating the agreement against…

A Business in Comics from "Rich Dad Poor Dad". Reuse and Organization A Resource Identified Robert realizes the books discarded by a distributor can be repurposed without violating the agreement against…

Reuse and Organization A Resource Identified Robert realizes the books discarded by a distributor can be repurposed without violating the agreement against resale. The boys create a reading room and charge a small admission fee. Work Beyond the Founders Mike’s sister manages visitors and records attendance, allowing the business to operate while its founders are elsewhere. Their simple arrangement makes organization as important as the original idea.

Closure and First Lesson Closure and First Lesson from "Rich Dad Poor Dad". The Venture Ends A Practical Limit A fight involving neighborhood bullies leads Mike’s father to recommend closing the library.

Closure and First Lesson from "Rich Dad Poor Dad". The Venture Ends A Practical Limit A fight involving neighborhood bullies leads Mike’s father to recommend closing the library.

The Venture Ends A Practical Limit A fight involving neighborhood bullies leads Mike’s father to recommend closing the library. The enterprise is not portrayed as permanent; local risks and operating realities matter. Value Beyond Profit The boys lose the business but retain experience in finding materials, serving customers, and managing a system. Rich Dad sees the attempt as proof that they have begun to think beyond wages.

After the beach-house rejection in 1956

Several weeks after the boys partner

Immediately after the scheme collapses

After the boys notice discarded comic books

About three months after opening