Much of what John Paul DeJoria does today goes back almost 70 years to the moment his destitute Greek immigrant mother gave him a dime and told him to place it in the bucket of the Salvation Army woman who stood in front of a store ringing a bell.
At the time the family was living in Echo Park, near downtown Los Angeles.
His mother didn’t have money to buy Christmas presents that year, but despite her poverty she taught her children that unshared success — no matter how little — is failure.
This lesson in 1950 — when a dime was a lot of money — was the seminal influence on the success one of the wealthiest and most successful men in the world.
Fast forward almost 70 years and DeJoria has become the billionaire who founded John Paul Mitchell Systems and Patron Spirits — each multi-billion-dollar companies.
DeJoria has transformed his own success into a philanthropic machine, supporting charitable efforts such as animal welfare and homelessness, among others.
His philanthropy has led some to call him “one of the most giving men on the planet.”
Coming from very humble beginnings himself, the once homeless DeJoria has always maintained his mother’s mantra — that success unshared is failure — proving that what matters is not how much money someone makes, but rather what he or she does with it.
With decades of success and hundreds of millions in profits under his belt, he has never forgotten where he came from and donates most of his fortune to charitable initiatives.
Video: John Paul DeJoria Shares the Story
Is The Pappas Post worth $5 a month for all of the content you read? On any given month, we publish dozens of articles that educate, inform, entertain, inspire and enrich thousands who read The Pappas Post. I’m asking those who frequent the site to chip in and help keep the quality of our content high — and free. Click here and start your monthly or annual support today. If you choose to pay (a) $5/month or more or (b) $50/year or more then you will be able to browse our site completely ad-free!
Click here if you would like to subscribe to The Pappas Post Weekly News Update
8 comments
Great article. While I understand you are heralding yet another Greek male figure, I hope many readers also understand the value of a mother. She taught him empathy, generosity, philanthropy.
Yannick
I have been involved in motorsports for over 20 years I met you several years ago at race event I have had senior executive positions in. NASCAR z as well as IndyCar and sports car series. I had no idea that you are a fellow Greek. My family is from. Spartan and I am very proud of my heritage I read with interest and a smile your story about your mother and the lessons that you learned that have stayed with you for life. I learned .any of the same lessons nanda understand and appreciate the wise and loving family God blessed me with
I do hope this note finds its way to you ND wish you a happy ,healthy and blessed year ahead
Would love to hear more about the life lessons we were lucky enough to eatxperience
Yassou!
Mark. Perrone
[email protected]
What a beautiful story . Your mother is watching over you from Heaven and is very proud to call you her son!!! A mothers job well done!!!!
GOD BLESS YOU!!!!
Giving of your good fortune to those most needy is an honour for a true Greek. His mantra that success unshared is failure is an inspiration.
What your mom told to is the right thing and you
With respect to your mom and your self.
It is a great think to give back to the community
and those who needed. We are Greeks grow up
To have respect and manners for other and that is
something you can find in today’s community.
Great job God bless you !!
Your mother was a blessing in your life. The bible teach’s us that 10% is all God asks from us. everything we have is a gift from God and He sees everything we give and I’ve seen it time after time we are rewarded many times over for our generosity. Your mother like most Greek mothers are very wise!!! I as well am pleasantly surprised that your Greek I never knew that! God be with you a wonderful story. Socrates
I’ve seen your commercials and admired your success . God bless you for telling your Greek Mothers story. I am a one of two sons of Spartans. We struggled but we were happy. We had unconditional love and support at all times. Merry Christmas . I love me some Patron!
Spero J Conits
Greenville SC
all good things in one package that’s you Paul. I met you at Tony’s Taverna in Malibu, you took off your sweatshirt of your back advertisimg Heat and gave it to me. I still have it and love it. You are who you are.