This week on Outliers, I explore the incredible story of Jim Clayton.

When the bank forced him into bankruptcy at 27, they literally seized everything, including his accountant’s calculator.

He started over and rebuilt following an unconventional playbook. He refused bad loans, vertically integrated everything, and played relentless offense during downturns.

While the home industry collapsed in the 1970s, 1990s, and 2000s, Clayton stayed disciplined. Competitors chased growth with loose credit and failed. He survived every downturn and bought their pieces.

When Warren Buffett read his autobiography, he called days later and paid $1.7 billion cash.

The lesson: discipline beats hype, vertical integration beats vulnerability, and recessions are buying opportunities.

It’s time to listen and learn.

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Approximate Timestamps

00:00 - Introduction
01:36 - Part 1 - The Dream
12:01 - Ad Break
13:13 - Part 2: Flying, Falling and Rising Again
35:47 - Part 3: Clayton Homes
56:02 - Epilogue
57:20 - Reflections / Lessons

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This episode made possible by:

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