Robert Reffkin facts for kids

Robert L. Reffkin is an American businessman. He is known for starting a company called Compass, Inc.. This company helps people buy and sell homes using technology. Robert Reffkin is the CEO, or main leader, of Compass.

Robert Reffkin's Early Life

Robert Reffkin grew up in Berkeley, California. He is African American and Jewish. His mother, Ruth Reffkin, moved from Israel when she was seven. She raised Robert, giving him her last name from a previous marriage. Robert's biological father, a jazz musician, passed away when Robert was 11.

School and First Business

Robert attended San Francisco University High School. He even gave a speech there in 2021. When he was 15, in 1994, Robert started his very first business. It was a DJ company. He used money he saved from his bar mitzva and from babysitting to start it. As a teenager, he also worked with the Network For Teaching Entrepreneurship. This group helps young people learn about starting businesses.

College Education

In 2000, Robert graduated from Columbia University. He earned his bachelor's degree in less than two years. After college, he worked for a company called McKinsey & Company from 2000 to 2002. He was the youngest analyst ever hired there.

He then went back to school. In 2003, he earned his M.B.A. from Columbia Business School.

Career and Entrepreneurship

After business school, Robert worked in investment banking. He spent two years at a company called Lazard. From 2005 to 2006, he was a White House Fellow. This is a special program where people work with government leaders. He worked for the Secretary of the Treasury, John W. Snow.

Later, he returned to investment banking. He became a vice president at Goldman Sachs. He also served as the chief of staff for the company's President and COO, Gary Cohn.

Helping Others: America Needs You

In 2007, Robert Reffkin started a nonprofit organization. It was first called New York Needs You. Now it is known as America Needs You. This group helps college students from low-income families. It provides them with mentors and support.

To raise money for this cause, Robert ran a marathon in all 50 states. He raised $1 million for the organization. New York Needs You officially launched in 2009.

Starting Compass, Inc.

In 2012, Robert Reffkin co-founded Compass, Inc. with Ori Allon. Compass is an online company that uses technology for real estate. Robert was inspired by his mother, who worked as a real estate agent. He saw how hard it was for her.

He wanted to use technology to make it easier for agents. Compass helps agents build their brand and use data. It also helps them research the market. This makes their business more efficient and successful.

In April 2021, Compass, Inc. became a public company. This means its shares could be bought and sold on the stock market. After this, Robert Reffkin's net worth was estimated at $500 million.

Writing a Book

In 2021, Robert Reffkin wrote a book. It is titled No One Succeeds Alone: Learn Everything You Can from Everyone You Can. He worked with Peter Koechley, who helped start Upworthy, to write it.