Radio Host Kim Komando Is Getting Inducted Into ASU's 2021 Alumni Hall of Fame

When Kim Komando approached CBS and ABC Radio in 1994 about having her own national radio show centered on technology, they told her that computers were a fad.

“They told me it was like the pet rock and would never amount to anything,” Komando says.

The joke’s on them, considering that for two decades, Komando has run her own massively successful, self-syndicated radio show about technology, reaching over 6.5 million listeners on 420 international radio stations.

“The Kim Komando Show” offers technical information and advice. It’s won a slew of awards, and on Thursday, October 28, the Arizona State University graduate will receive the honor of being one of the few women inducted into the W.P. Carey School of Business Alumni Hall of Fame.

The distinction is for alumni who’ve demonstrated huge entrepreneurial achievement, terrific leadership, and a commitment to serve their communities.

“I think that persistence and fortitude adds a lot to my success,” Komando says. “I really don’t believe that when I ask someone to do something, or I want to do something, that no really means no.”

Komando has been a self-starter from the get-go. At 16 years old, she started college, and at 18, she initiated her own work opportunities by knocking on the doors of computer stores, making $75 an hour to train employees.

She began her studies at ASU in archaeology. One day, her dad called her with an assignment, which he said was for new hires at United Airlines: He wanted her to complete a report detailing the top 10 degrees and which of those earned the most their first year out of college. She found that computers were number one, and told him that she’d decided to change her major.

“The day I graduated he said, ‘You know that whole report I made you do? It was all B.S.’ I said, ‘What?’ He said, ‘I just knew you needed to make your own decision because you’re so headstrong.’”

Komando’s initiative at 18 led to jobs at IBM, AT&T, Unicess, and to the self-made and self-syndicated radio show that she says is more fun than work. So, what tips does Komando have for budding entrepreneurs and ASU students?

Work smart. “Picking something you have a passion about, that you’re not going to do for just a month but that you believe in.”

Help make a difference. Recently, a woman called into Komando’s radio show for help. Her 18-year-old daughter was being stalked and police enforcement said they couldn’t help despite the stalker telling the girl to die and putting her mother’s personal information on a pornography website. “Using some resources I have, and folks I know, we are very close to getting him arrested.”

Also, don’t do things just for money. “It brings you freedom to do what you want to do. But it doesn't make you happy. I never approached this whole thing to do it for the money. I don't think it would've worked.”

Earn more than you spend. “If we can't afford it, we don't buy it. I have this rule. For every dollar you spend, you have to earn three and it's very aggressive.”

Cure your victimitis. “Unless you’re in the middle of a hurricane, there’s no reason to be a victim.”

For the ASU students who used to sit in the same chairs as her, she advises most importantly to learn beyond a college degree and to find a mentor. Like, now.

“Have a passion for what you want to do because then going to work every day won't be going to work — it’ll be going to the playground.”