Achieving the American dream can be quite costly. Today, more than half of students leave school with debt with women and people of more likely to have student loan debt and higher balances. Over 43 millions have federal student loan debt and a total of $1.75 trillion is owed in student loan debt.
A firm believer in the American dream, Dale LeFebvre knew that it was only through education and entrepreneurship that he build wealth. He left graduate school with $250,000 in debt, with more financial pressures ahead of him. Believing in himself, LeFebvre set out to actualize his own version of the American dream. His holding company, 3.5.7.11, has since raised more than $1 billion in institutional capital.
“I wanted to have capital in a capitalist society,” LeFebvre said of his motivation to go into private equity.
But growing up in Beaumont, Texas, LeFebvre did not foresee private equity or even college in his future. He learned from a young age that he would have to work for every penny he earned. At age nine, he started his first business cutting grass for neighbors. In addition to his entrepreneurial spirit, LeFebvre had a passion for learning. He excelled in his 11th grade PSAT and earned a spot in a summer program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. This was the start of his future.
LeFebvre earned a scholarship from Bell Laboratories that covered the tuition for his bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. He excelled at school and secured an internship with Senator Edward Kennedy. However after graduating, LeFebvre realized he was no longer interested in engineering. He applied to Harvard Law School and joined McKinsey & Company as a business analyst to earn money for his education. He developed a knack for private equities while at the management consulting firm.
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LeFebvre returned to school, concurrently pursuing a Juris Doctor from Harvard Law and an MBA from Harvard Business School. But continuing his education came at a hefty cost. He graduated school with $250,000 in debt and was faced with tremendous financial pressures. Although he had offers from prominent Wall Street firms, LeFebvre was fascinated by a start-up in Dallas that was preparing for a second round of funding. He became managing partner at Pharos Capital Group and subsequently founded and served as managing partner for AIC Caribbean Fund. He led the fundraising efforts for the $230 million fund which was the largest Caribbean-focused private equity firm at the time.
Leveraging his experience in the industry, LeFebvre founded his private equity firm 3.5.7.11 in 2006. The firm deals in strategic investment management, restructuring, and financial engineering to create value from underutilized assets. LeFebvre invented and implemented a proprietary Transformational Investing™ methodology, which combines elements of research, venture capital, and buyouts. As a controlling shareholder, LeFebvre serves as Executive Chairman in each portfolio company, providing strategic direction, management oversight, operational guidance, and financial structuring expertise.
He has raised more than $1 billion in institutional capital for businesses specializing in transportation, infrastructure, energy, financial services, and technology since the establishment of 3.5.7.11. The current portfolio generates more than $350 million with operations in over a dozen states and territories and employs more than 1,100 personnel. In 2014, LeFebvre was appointed by President Barack Obama to the Advisory Committee on the Arts at the Kennedy Center. He was named a founding Milestone Donor of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture after donating $1 million in 2016.
In addition to his accomplishments in private equity, LeFebvre is an avid inventor. He holds over 50 international and domestic patents. His story is an inspiration for anyone looking to transcend their predicament.
“Throughout my career, I’ve been asked to share my story and let others know, especially the younger generation, that your adversities do not define you and instead can motivate you,” said LeFebvre.