🍽️ From Homeless to Billionaire: John Paul’s Secrets

Welcome Back, Future Funder!

This week, we’re diving into the extraordinary life of John Paul DeJoria—a man who transformed rock-bottom into a launchpad for two billion-dollar empires: Paul Mitchell and Patron.

His journey is more than a rags-to-riches tale. It’s a masterclass in turning adversity into opportunity…

…using creativity when resources are scarce, and building wealth by giving back before you even ‘make it.’

Let’s unpack how these hard-earned lessons can reshape the way you think about your financial future—because true wealth is more than just numbers.

Bon a petit! 🧑‍🍳

Main Course: Lessons from a Billionaire - John Paul DeJoria’s Journey 💈🍸

1. Life Throws Curveballs—Embrace the Chaos

Who is John Paul DeJoria?
Before founding the globally renowned Paul Mitchell hair care line and Patron Tequila, John Paul DeJoria was homeless—not once, but twice. He lived out of his car and learned to survive on $2.50 a day. Instead of being crushed by his circumstances, DeJoria embraced the chaos around him and focused on his next move.

DeJoria's Reality:
He didn’t dwell on the fact that he had no home, no steady income, and no certainty. Instead, he asked himself: What’s my next step?

New Family Take:
In the world of family finance, unexpected bills or a sudden change in income can feel like chaos. But instead of getting stuck in panic mode, the key is to embrace these moments as part of your financial journey.

What You Can Do:
When the next financial curveball comes, don’t rush to fix it immediately. Take a breath. What can this challenge teach your family? Can it help you become more resourceful or creative?

Challenge yourselves to find one unexpected way to adjust—whether that’s swapping services with neighbors or trying a no-spend weekend as a family adventure.

2. Treat Your Family Finances Like a Legacy, Not a To-Do List

Building from Scratch:
When DeJoria and his partner founded Paul Mitchell, they didn’t have a big budget or investors. In fact, they barely had enough to launch their first product. But DeJoria wasn’t focused on short-term success—he was building a brand that would last. He didn’t want a quick sale; he wanted to create products that people would keep coming back to.

Shift the Mindset:
Just like DeJoria built Paul Mitchell with a long-term vision, think of your family’s finances as more than just paying bills. Every choice you make contributes to your family’s financial legacy.

What to Try:
Ask your family: What kind of financial legacy do we want to create?
Is it one built on stability, generosity, or maybe entrepreneurship?

Align your daily financial decisions with this bigger vision, and make one small choice this week that reflects the kind of future you want—whether that’s saving for a family goal or investing in a shared passion.

3. Teach Your Family the Art of Rejection (Yes, Rejection)

Facing Rejection Head-On:
DeJoria’s early life was a series of rejections. He sold products door-to-door, hearing “no” countless times. But instead of being discouraged, he learned from every rejection. This mindset helped him refine his approach and eventually led to building two billion-dollar brands.

The Untold Family Lesson:
In family life, we often shield ourselves (and our kids) from the sting of rejection. But learning how to handle setbacks is essential. Just like DeJoria used rejection to improve his pitch, your family can use financial setbacks to sharpen your approach.

Unique Approach:
Share a financial ‘failure’ with your kids. Maybe it’s a time you splurged too much, made a poor investment, or had to change plans because of financial constraints.

Ask your family: How would you have handled this differently?

Use the conversation to teach resilience and creative problem-solving.

4. Scrappiness Beats Strategy Every Time

DeJoria’s Scrappy Beginnings:
With just $700, John Paul DeJoria co-founded Paul Mitchell. He didn’t have millions to market his products. Instead, he relied on scrappy, creative approaches to build his business—sometimes living off $2.50 a day. His secret? Making every resource count.

Family Finance Redefined:
While many families focus on finding the perfect financial strategy, sometimes the most valuable lesson is learning to make do with what you have. Scrappiness and creativity can often outperform the most well-laid plans.

Here’s a Twist:
Challenge your family to a “scrappy week.”
For one week, focus on making the most of what you already have. Skip the unnecessary purchases, get creative with meals, and find free or low-cost family activities.

By the end of the week, reflect on how resourcefulness brought your family closer together—and how that same mindset can strengthen your finances.

5. Teach Your Family the Art of Giving Before You’ve ‘Made It’

DeJoria’s Giving Spirit:
One of the first things DeJoria did after achieving success was to write a $50 million check to charity. But what’s even more telling is that he made giving a habit long before he became wealthy. He believes that real wealth starts with generosity, not accumulation.

Challenge the Norm:
Many families believe they’ll start giving once they “have enough,” but DeJoria’s story shows us that generosity should be part of the journey—not the destination. It’s not about the amount; it’s about building a habit of giving, even when resources are tight.

Make it Real:
Sit down as a family and talk about what causes or people you want to support—whether that’s donating clothes, helping a neighbor, or giving time to a local charity.

The lesson here isn’t just about money; it’s about teaching the joy of giving and how it enriches your family’s life. Generosity is a habit that pays back in ways you can’t always measure in dollars.

Thank you for being here with us.

Your resilience shapes not only your future but inspires others.

Cheers to getting 1% better each week 🥂

P.S. We're streamlining our format but cranking up the content! 🎉 

Stay tuned for exclusive reports from our upcoming financial deep dives, special guests, and walkthrough workshops already planned through the end of the year.