From the Bottom to the Top: an Entrepreneur's Struggle

Ping Fu, author of Bend, Not Break, founder and CEO of Geomagic, and incoming Chief Strategy Officer at 3D Systems, tells of her journey from being a penniless newcomer to the United States, to an incredibly successful CEO.

3D Systems is at the leading edge of a disruptive technological revolution, with the broadest portfolio of 3-D printers in the industry. However, despite years of earnings growth, 3D Systems' share price has risen even faster, and today the company sports a dizzying valuation. To help investors decide whether the future of additive manufacturing is bright enough to justify the lofty price tag on the company's shares, The Motley Fool has compiled a premium research report on whether 3D Systems is a buy right now. In our report, we take a close look at 3D Systems' opportunities, risks, and critical factors for growth. You'll also find reasons to buy or sell, and receive a full year of analyst updates with the report. To start reading, simply click here now for instant access.

Bend, Not Break Website: www.bendnotbreak.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pfugeomagic

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Bend-Not-Break-Life-Worlds/dp/1591845521

Brendan Byrnes: You were actually deported to the United States at the age of 25 and you came here with $80 and you knew 3 English words. How do you go from that to, first of all, being a successful software programmer and then starting such a successful company in Geomagic? How did you do that?

Ping Fu: When I came to the United States I had to find a new life. I happened to pick computer science as my field of study. It was a new field and it provided me a lot of opportunities. But the journey of my life showed me that behind every closed door there is a lot of opportunity. It seemed as if life slammed the door on my face.

I didn't want to come to the United States but I was deported. I didn't speak the language and so I couldn't study literature so I studied computer science. If I didn't do that then I couldn't have started the business. But there are some trades that I learned or maybe overdeveloped through my lifetime that was very helpful for starting a business. For example, self-learning and because I didn't go to school and I over developed my skill of self-learning. Adaptability to change that's another skill set that is incredibly important for entrepreneurship. Enduring difficulties and so resilience is another characteristic that a successful entrepreneur has.

The article From the Bottom to the Top: an Entrepreneur's Struggle originally appeared on Fool.com.

Brendan Byrnes has no position in any stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends 3D Systems. The Motley Fool owns shares of 3D Systems and has the following options: Short Jan 2014 $55 Calls on 3D Systems and Short Jan 2014 $30 Puts on 3D Systems. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Copyright © 1995 - 2013 The Motley Fool, LLC. All rights reserved. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.