On the subject of self-made billionaires, who went from the bottom to the top, we definitely can’t go without mentioning John Paul DeJoria.
We all know him as one of the most famous American entrepreneurs who co-founded the Paul Mitchell line of hair products and The Patron Spirits Company.
Yet the question is, what more is there to know about John Paul Jones DeJoria, what are some of the most surprising facts about this man?
Well, wonder no more, we are here to give you the most interesting, surprising facts about him.
1. He is the son of two immigrants
His father was an Italian immigrant and his mother a Greek immigrant who divorced by the time he was only 2 years old.
His mother struggled to raise them, so at the age of 9 he was already on the streets trying to earn money by selling Christmas cards and newspapers along his brother in effort to support his family.
Unfortunately, his poor mother was still unable to support them, so both he and his brother ended up in foster care.
2. He got in trouble a lot in school
DeJoria ot himself involved in some street gang activities. However, his high school math teacher noticed his struggle and advised him, after which he decided to change his life.
3. DeJoria went into the Navy
John Paul DeJoria served on the USS Hornet for 2 years.
4. He struggled to make ends meet
He worked as a janitor, door-to-door encyclopedia salesman, and insurance salesman until eventually, he got into Redken Laboratories where his entrepreneurial career began.
5. John Paul DeJoria founded 2 global enterprises
Both of his most famous companies he had started with his friends and in the beginning he struggled with both of them.
Together with Paul Mitchel he took a loan of $700 to start the John Paul Mitchell Systems and then struggled for 2 years before eventually, in the third year they made their first million.
With his friend Martin Crowley he started Patrón Spirits Co., and at the beginning of it, they again struggled as the product was smooth and high-end, therefore more expensive and less commercial.
Nevertheless, in a few months the profits began to show.
No wonder that his life motto is “In the end, everything will be ok, and, if it’s not ok, it’s not the end.”
6. He shares his advice to entrepreneurs worldwide
On his Forbes interview he is uote to say, “If you knock on 100 doors and they all say no, on door 101, be just as enthusiastic. Successful people do all the things unsuccessful people don’t want to do. Whatever business you’re in, make sure the quality of your product is so good that people will want to reorder or do business with you again.”
7. His first wife took all the money he had
At that time (back in 1966) together with his car, leaving him and his infant son unable to even pay the rent; he ended up homeless living on the street with his infant son.
8. He joined Nelson Mandela in feeding orphaned children
In 2008, John Pau Dejoria and company assisted Nelson Mandela with feeding more than 17,000 children through Food4Africa.
9. DeJoria signed a Giving Pledge
Alongside 150 other billionaires, John Paul had signed the Giving Pledge which means he promises to give 50% of his earnings to better the world.
