Monday Motivation: David Rogier, MasterClass

When You Stop Learning, You’re Dead

David Rogier, CEO and co-founder of MasterClass

David Rogier on The Future of Education

(first published Feb 2020).

I am a big believer in the future of education looking wildly different to the school system we have now so it was a pleasure to explore this idea with MasterClass co-founder and CEO David Rogier.

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David is a true entrepreneur (he sold his first business whilst in middle school)— someone with a vision and ability to get everything in place, at the right time, to get it done. In this interview, we discuss how his immigrant family shaped his life, how he overcame a debilitating stutter to remain curious and still asking questions, and how he grew MasterClass to the huge success it is today. He also offers some great advice for first-time founders.

Here’s his story…

Newnham: Tell me about your background — what were you like growing up and how did your childhood shape you?

Rogier: I think I was a delight, my family might disagree.

I grew up in a family of immigrants. Most had escaped the Holocaust. My grandparents met in Auschwitz (of all places to find love?)

I stutter. When I was a kid, it was bad. I was teased in school about it. My family refused to let me use it as an excuse. One day I decided to tell my grandfather that I stuttered and was being teased in school for it. He gave me a hug and said — “So? You going to let that stop you?” In his eyes, if you weren’t in Auschwitz… you’re OK.

My parents would not let me use my stutter as an excuse to temper my curiosity (to not ask questions). They always expected my brother and I, from a very early age, to participate in dinner conversations with their friends. They were incredibly loving and determined for my brother and I to achieve whatever we wanted.