Robert Herjavec was born on September 14, 1962, in Varaždin, Croatia. In 1970, his family emigrated to Toronto, Canada, largely due to his father’s political opposition to the communist regime then governing Yugoslavia. His father had been imprisoned for speaking against the government and, upon his release, the family decided to resettle in Canada.

When they arrived in Canada, Robert was a young boy who spoke no English. Despite this challenge, he adapted quickly and focused on his education. He later graduated from the University of Toronto in 1984 with a degree in English Literature and Political Science.

Early Career and Breakthrough in Business

Herjavec began his professional career in the film and television industry, taking on various production roles, including a position on the film The Return of Billy Jack. His work also took him to the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo while he was employed by Global TV.

Shifting gears, Herjavec sought a position with Logiquest, a computer company, but was initially turned down due to a lack of qualifications. Determined to prove his worth, he offered to work for free for six months. During that time, he supported himself by waiting tables. His persistence was ultimately rewarded when he was hired and rose through the ranks to become the General Manager of Logiquest.

In 1990, after being laid off from Logiquest, Herjavec chose to start his own company rather than seek new employment. From his basement, he launched BRAK Systems, a company that developed software specializing in internet security. The venture proved highly successful and was acquired by AT&T Canada in 2000 for a reported $30.2 million.