I got fired twice before I turned 30. It was the best thing that happened in my career.

Alex Stephany says getting fired twice made him a better CEO. Courtesy of Alex Stephany Alex Stephany was fired from roles as a lawyer and a consultant. The experiences were terrifying, and he worried he didn't have the skills he needed to succeed. When he became an entrepreneur the difficulties of being unemployed helped him get ahead. This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Alex Stephany, founder of Beam. It has been edited for length and clarity. I was always a good student...