# Jerry Rawls on Building a Billion-Dollar Company, Taking Risks, and Why Free Markets Still Win

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Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/voices-of-liberty-7648318/jerry-rawls-on-building-a-billion-dollar-company-taking-risks-and-why-free-markets-still-win.md
Podcast: [Voices of Liberty](https://stenobird.com/podcast/voices-of-liberty-7648318)
Published: 2026-07-03T21:15:26+00:00
Episode link: https://voicesofliberty.podbean.com/e/jerry-rawls-on-building-a-billion-dollar-company-taking-risks-and-why-free-markets-still-win/
Audio file: https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/jvzhhppwcznisxqp/REVISED_Jerry_Rawls_Produced_Audio89px3.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/voices-of-liberty-7648318/episodes/jerry-rawls-on-building-a-billion-dollar-company-taking-risks-and-why-free-markets-still-win
Duration seconds: 4452

## Resource

What does it take to build a company from a small startup into a global technology leader with 14,000 employees? In this episode of Voices of Liberty, host Sean Themea sits down with entrepreneur, engineer, and philanthropist Jerry Rawls, founder of Finisar, to explore the journey behind one of America’s greatest business success stories. Jerry shares how taking a risk, embracing innovation, building a culture of integrity, and solving real problems helped transform a startup into a company that revolutionized fiber-optic communications. He also discusses capitalism, entrepreneurship, higher education, energy policy, and why he believes America’s greatest opportunities are still ahead for those willing to work hard and think differently. If you’re interested in entrepreneurship, free markets, leadership, and the principles that drive innovation, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Powered by Young Americans for Liberty, help support our work here: https://bit.ly/4vnedJK

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## Transcript

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