Joe Grubba, owner of Factory Direct Trains in Arden, North Carolina, began his journey as an entrepreneur before he could drive a car. Originally a native of southern Florida, Grubba mowed lawns, sold lemonade and saved his money from a young age. Grubba studied business at Florida State University with the intent to become a stockbroker. However, a college internship in the field convinced Grubba that this was not the correct career choice for him.
Grubba is from a blue-collar family, where he learned to work in his father’s radiator shop as he grew up. Upon graduating from FSU, Grubba opened his own radiator shop in Fort Lauderdale at age 22, which he owned and operated for 14 years.
