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A lot of founders hunt for the white space to build a business. But Adam Lynn and his co-founder Zach Ruben didn’t just search for it — they lived in it. While still in college, they created their company, Breakaway, to bring top entertainment to college kids living in markets that big shows normally skipped. The strategy more than paid off — 10 years after it was founded, the company announced closing a Series B funding round against a nine-figure valuation at Nasdaq.
As the 2026 Breakaway Music Festival criss-crosses the country, Adam dropped in on the How Success Happens podcast to share his company’s journey and to help aspiring entrepreneurs break away from the pack in three, two, one — lace up!
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Three Key Insights
1. Start Where You Already Have an Edge
Adam’s entrepreneurial story really does start in the backyard. “I remember in high school I would put on all of these big end-of-year bashes and birthday parties,” he says, “And it was very structured and organized for a 15, 16, 17-year-old. Like, I’d have a guest list, get security.” He transferred those skills to the University of Michigan, where he eventually became social chair of his fraternity, and began throwing high-demand events at local bars and venues. That led to his first big get, an upcoming rap artist named Wiz Khalifa. “We made like $4,000,” he remembers, “We thought we hit the jackpot.”
Takeaway: Look for a business idea where your lived experience gives you a head start on understanding the customer’s world.
2. Use Failure to Re-Examine Your Ambition, Not Kill It
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