Fred Smith, the founder of FedEx, is a self-made billionaire who turned his company into a global shipping giant. His fortune, however, had a surprising origin—his investment in a casino in the early stages of FedEx’s development. The casino helped provide critical capital to keep his business afloat during tough times, enabling the company's exponential growth. Smith's story illustrates the pivotal role calculated risk-taking and unconventional strategies can play in entrepreneurial success.