Quote from chasinfla:
if you search ET for "Geduld" you will find an article about Buzzy Geduld, who sold his firm, Herzog, Heine, and Geduld, to Merril Lynch for $900 million in 2000 or thereabouts.
Prior to starting one of the largest OTC market makers, he ran a donut shop.
Most of the people whose vision and cajones built wall street couldn't get hired at their own firms today, for lack of 'credentials.'
but vision and cojones are still credentials enough build your own thing and then sell it to a bunch of MBA's at the top of the market.
What a trade!
You're right about not all successful people in the financial markets are "mba types" but I think I can safely say that since they are more prepared for it and obviously have better than average smarts that they have a better chance of succeeding. In general, who would you want to run your financial company? a guy who runs your local Dunkin Donuts or a Wharton grad?