Today’s guest on the QuarterliesFive newsletter is my friend, Rich Kleiman, one of the best super connectors I know.
We first met back in 2024 at a dinner he hosted during Art Basel at ZZ’s Club in Miami. In true Kleiman fashion, the guest list included Savannah James, rapper Stormzy, Devin Booker, and others. I’ve always admired Rich’s ability to bring incredibly diverse groups of people together. Long before we met, he was already someone I looked up to, especially for carving out such a nontraditional career path that deeply resonates with my own journey.
Rich began his career in the music industry before transitioning into sports, where he led the sports division at Roc Nation working for Jay-Z.
Today, he is best known as Kevin Durant’s longtime business partner and manager. He is the co-founder & CEO of Boardroom and co-founder & partner of 35 Ventures (Kevin Durant’s Family Office), whose early investments include Coinbase, Robinhood, Acorns, Whoop, and Postmates. Rich is also the architect behind Durant’s off-court business empire, generating more than $50M annually in off-court earnings.
The story of how Rich and Kevin first met perfectly captures the power of relationships and serendipity, with both being in the right place at the right time. Back in 2008, rapper Wale introduced Rich to a 19-year-old Kevin Durant while at a Jay-Z concert, knowing Rich was passionate about sports and always looking to meet rising athletes. They officially partnered in 2012, and the rest is history. Durant has since become one of the greatest basketball players of all time; a 2x NBA champion, 2x Finals MVP, and global icon who has earned an estimated $600M on the court throughout his ongoing 18-year NBA career.
What belief about success did you once hold strongly that you’ve since reversed?
I used to think success came from simply outworking people through sheer hours. I’ve since learned it’s really about quality, efficiency, timing, and having a level of balance to be most successful.
It’s about quality, efficiency, time and having a level of balance to be most successful.
What does ambition cost that people don’t talk about enough?
Consistency is everything. Ambition drives you to pursue what you want at any cost. That type of life has no blueprint or set schedule.
Type of life of an ambitious person has no blueprint or a set schedule
What are you more protective of today than your title or income?
My mental health.
What feels more fragile now than it did earlier in your career?
Time.
Where do smart, successful people most often deceive themselves?
In order to achieve success, or have the gall to pursue something nobody believes in or asked for, you’re forced to tell yourself a story. That story is both a gift and a curse, and it needs to be constantly redefined.
...you’re forced to tell yourself a story. That story is both a gift and a curse…
