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I Met the Dalai Lama and All I Got Was This Lousy Scarf! | Shep Moyle | TEDxDuke

At the height of his career, Shep Moyle had everything: wealth, status, and a thriving business. Then it all collapsed. In the wreckage, he expected despair. What he found instead was clarity. In this candid talk, he shares how losing his business stripped away the illusions of success and forced him to confront what truly matters in life. Through a meeting with the Dalai Lama—where a raggedy white scarf became an unexpected symbol—he began to understand a different kind of wealth. One not built on profit margins, but on connection and purpose. This is a story about failure, yes, but more so, about finding joy. Shep Moyle is a passionate educator, entrepreneur, and innovator who believes in the power of connection and transformation. As a Senior Lecturing Fellow at Duke University, he inspires students to explore entrepreneurship, strategy, and the intersection of innovation, happiness and joy.Shep’s entrepreneurial journey began at Shindigz, where he served as CEO and owner for over 30 years, leading the company to global success with over $2 billion in revenue. His earlier work as a brand manager at Frito Lay revolutionized the snack aisle with products like Tostitos Restaurant Style Chips.A lifelong leader, Shep has chaired global organizations like the Young Presidents’ Organization, served on Duke’s Board of Trustees and as President of the Duke Alumni Association, and pursued groundbreaking initiatives at Harvard University. He finds joy in teaching, coaching CEOs worldwide, and empowering others to make a lasting impact. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

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