‎Aaron Levant Built a Business Empire Without a High School Diploma

‎Aaron Levant, CEO of Complex, a media and e-commerce platform, never completed high school or enrolled in college. His path defied conventional expectations, particularly in industries where formal education is often considered essential.

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‎Aaron Levant built Complex and multiple ventures without a diploma or insider knowledge. He says risk, hustle, and "ignorance" shaped his success.

‎Complex

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‎Entering the business world without prior industry knowledge became a strength for Levant. He saw it not as a hindrance, but as a license to challenge norms and explore unconventional ideas. His guiding philosophy emerged from this perspective: “Ignorance is rich.”

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‎“I had no experience in trade shows and fashion and media companies and events, and I went in and did it,” he told CNBC Make It. “And my naiveness toward the subject matter allowed me to try things that no logical person would have.”

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‎Levant’s entrepreneurial career spans over twenty years. In 2024, his video commerce platform, NTWRK, acquired Complex in a $109 million deal.

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‎He attributes his trajectory to taking risks, persistent effort, and a mindset free from limitations. These elements, he believes, are especially important for those early in their careers or venturing into entrepreneurship.

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‎Fear of failure, Levant observes, often holds people back from starting something new. He believes many adopt the limitations of others’ past experiences as their own.

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‎Research supports this idea. According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor by Babson College, 44% of aspiring entrepreneurs cite fear of failure as a reason for not launching a business.

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‎Levant began teaching himself graphic design after leaving high school and soon entered the fashion and design world. His early work led him to trade shows, and by the early 2000s, he launched the Agenda Show. It became a prominent event in the streetwear and action sports scene, attracting performers like Tyler, the Creator and major brands such as Nike.

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‎Building on that success, he founded ComplexCon, an annual event that blends music, streetwear, art, and food. Billboard reported $20 million in sales at the 2024 event.

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‎Beyond fashion and festivals, Levant ventured into other startups, including Hall of Flowers, a cannabis trade show, and Truff, a hot sauce brand. He then launched NTWRK, marking his expansion into video commerce.

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‎In roles like his, traditional expectations would suggest a background in business education or corporate experience in media, commerce, or fashion. Levant had none of those. His approach was built on trial, error, and the belief that failure was simply part of the process.

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‎“Sometimes, the less you know about something, you might actually stumble on being successful,” Levant said. “Sometimes institutional knowledge of a subject matter, of an industry, can actually cause you not to be successful because you have perceived roadblocks.”

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‎According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, people with high school or college degrees tend to earn more on average. Many companies still prioritize applicants with specific educational or professional credentials.

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‎Even so, Levant argues that traditional qualifications are not always necessary to build something meaningful. The very systems that might reject unconventional candidates, he suggests, are sometimes the ones ripe for disruption.

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‎His advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is clear: fear should not stop anyone from starting. A lack of insider knowledge or a flawless business plan shouldn’t be a barrier.

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‎“I really encourage people to not be discouraged or scared,” he said. “Go out there, get into a field you’re interested in and passionate about, try, regardless of your experience level, work really hard.”