Christ Gardner - Pursuit of Happiness
In a rags to riches story, Christopher Paul Gardner went from homelessness to happiness through his own will to succeed. Born in 1954, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with an absent father, it seemed Chris was set up for failure. He was raised by his mother and an abusive stepfather – and spent some time in foster care when his mother went to prison for welfare fraud. With this type of childhood, marked by poverty and instability, it would take lots of determination to come out on top. But Chris was willing to do whatever it took to pull himself out of poverty.
After high school, Chris enlisted in the US Navy and served four years as a medic. He then worked as a medical research assistant in San Francisco, and later as a medical supplies salesman. He wanted to pursue a career in medicine, but found it unaffordable.
Then, after a chance encounter with a successful stockbroker, his focus shifted to finance. But most firms required a minimum of an MBA to hire a rookie stock broker. Still Chris persisted. He continually sought and secured interviews. When he was finally able to enroll in a low-paid trainee program at a stock brokerage, a new hiring manager took one look at his resume and retracted the job offer. He had already quit his sales job, so he had to do whatever it took to make ends meet.
Tensions at home led to a fight with his partner Jackie. When the police were called, Gardner was arrested due to having racked up several parking tickets – and was sentenced to spend ten days in jail. Somehow he convinced the officers to grant him a second phone call to reschedule an interview with Dean Witter Reynolds, a firm he was to interview with during those ten days. That was granted – and changed the course of his life. He made it to the interview and was accepted into the training program.
Then Jackie left him and took all the money they’d been saving for rent. She later returned and announced she wanted to continue her career – and granted Chris full custody of their young son. Unable to afford housing, Chris and his son endured homelessness for about a year, sleeping in shelters, parks, and even public restrooms. Chris did everything he could to protect his son, while keeping his own head held high and hiding his homelessness from his firm.
Despite these challenges, Gardner excelled in his training program, passed his exams, and was eventually hired as a full-time stockbroker. His hard work and talent led to rapid career advancement. And at the age of 33, Chris had turned his life around. He founded his own brokerage firm, Gardner Rich & Co. in Chicago. His success in the financial industry allowed him to provide a stable home for his son and achieve financial independence. Today he has an estimated net worth of over $60 million. A rags to riches story to be sure.
Gardner is now giving back to his community. He supports numerous charitable organizations, particularly those focused on homelessness, education, and domestic violence. He travels the world as a motivational speaker, sharing his story to inspire others to overcome adversity and pursue their dreams. He teaches perseverance, self-reliance, and the belief that anyone can achieve their dreams with hard work and determination.
Chris Gardner’s motivational speeches have empowered many to take control of their lives and make positive changes. His story is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit. His journey from homelessness to becoming a successful wealthy entrepreneur has inspired countless individuals around the world to pursue their own dreams, regardless of the obstacles they face, and to persevere through the tough times, no matter how daunting they may seem.
In addition to his inspirational guidance, Gardner’s philanthropic efforts have directly impacted many. Through his support of various charitable organizations, he provides resources and opportunities to those in need. His advocacy for homelessness and support for related causes have raised awareness about this critical issue.
The autobiography book and film The Pursuit of Happiness brought Gardner’s story to a broad audience. The film has reached over 40 million, spreading his message of hope. As a motivational speaker, Gardner continues today to share his story with diverse audiences around the world – at corporate conferences, educational institutions, and public seminars. He reaches folks from all walks of life as he provides a powerful reminder of how ‘one life’ can positively impact other lives.
Tributes to Gardener always highlight how his words gave them the courage and motivation to pursue their own dreams – an overarching theme in our books. We’ve all had to overcome adversity to achieve success through hard work and an unwavering belief in oneself. Certainly, that is the case for our main characters, Adam and Tariana.
Inspired by Chris Gardener, let’s all give back to others to the best of our abilities. Let’s understand the importance of discovering and pursuing one’s true purpose and dreams as Adam and Tariana do throughout our novels. Let’s mentor and coach others, emphasizing self-reliance and the belief that every individual has the power to change their own circumstances. Let’s motivate others to follow their passions, to dream new dreams, and to then make their dreams become realities.
