Chris Gardner - philanthropist, millionaire, businessman - a man who steadfastly endured dozens of the strongest blows of fate. As a result, he achieved everything he dreamed about. Gardner’s life formed the basis of the famous painting “Pursuit of Happiness”. This article will present his brief biography.
Childhood
Chris Gardner was born in Milwaukee (Wisconsin) in 1954. Unfortunately, the boy did not have worthy role models. His father lived at that time in Louisiana, and his stepfather regularly beat both children and his wife. In the end, Chris's mother named Betty could not stand the bullying and tried to kill her new husband. For this, she was sent to prison, and social services took up the children of the Gardner family. Just then, Chris met the Betty brothers. One of them - Henry - replaced the boy with his father. When the hero of this article turned nine, his uncle drowned. Only at the funeral did Chris learn about the true reason for his mother’s arrest. But despite this, she remained forever a source of inspiration and inner motivation for Gardner.
Only thanks to his mother did the boy manage to believe in his own strength and was accustomed to rely only on himself. And the best gift was Betty’s next phrase, which forever struck Chris in memory: “Son, making a million dollars is very easy. The main thing is to want! ” It is worth noting that a difficult childhood did not embitter Gardner. On the contrary, when he became rich, he did everything possible to prevent other children from going through this.
Youth
When Uncle Henry looked after little Chris, he told him a lot about his adventures in the Navy. Therefore, it is not surprising that after graduation, the young man went to the Navy. During the service, Chris Gardner worked as a nurse at the hospital. Hardworking young man immediately noted heart surgeon Robert Ellis. He offered the hero of this article the post of his assistant. Christopher assisted the doctor in the Veteran Care Hospital and in clinical innovation research. In this position, Gardner worked until his departure from the Navy (1974). The next two years, Chris was engaged in managing the laboratory and performed various surgical procedures. In 1976, in collaboration with Dr. Ellis, the future millionaire wrote many articles that were published in various medical journals.
Personal life
In June 1977, Chris Gardner married Sherry Dyson, a mathematics teacher in Virginia. The young man’s knowledge, experience and connections in the medical field predicted him a brilliant career as a doctor. However, changes in the healthcare system led him to conclude that soon the profession of a doctor would become unnecessary. Chris gave up the dream of being a doctor. He announced this to Sherry shortly before his 26th birthday. Because of this decision, the relationship of the spouses became strained. The final discord, according to Chris, was due to a lack of passion in sex. Nevertheless, Gardner continued to live with Sherry, but started an affair on the side. The chosen one of the failed doctor was a student at the dentist Jackie Medina. Soon, the girl became pregnant. To prepare for paternity, Gardner decided to move to her. With Sherry, the future millionaire finally divorced only after nine years.
Chris Gardner Jr. was born in January 1981. During the first twelve months after the birth of a son, the hero of this article literally made ends meet. He worked in the hospital, caring for veterans, and replenished his own budget for other jobs. Soon, Gardner became the sales representative of the company CMS, engaged in the service and supply of medical equipment. Chris was offered an annual income of $ 30 thousand. But after some time, the future philanthropist moved to Van Waters and Rogers to a more paid sales position.
Chris Gardner: the pursuit of happiness
Soon, the hero of this article decided to achieve business success by all means. The impetus for this was the meeting of Christopher with a wealthy entrepreneur, riding a stylish red Ferrari. Gardner asked him about the way to make money. He replied that he was working as a stockbroker. After that, the future philanthropist decided to pursue a career in the field of securities sales.
The broker on the Ferrari was Bob Bridges, who became for Chris a kind of leader and mentor. It was he who arranged for Gardner a meeting with managers of the departments of the largest companies in the field of stock broking, offering training programs. Christopher stopped his final choice at Hatton. But, having come to the office, he found out that the manager who hired him was fired a week ago.
At the same time, the relationship of Chris and Jackie was seriously disordered. She accused the future broker of beating (Gardner denies this until now). Also, the young man was sent to prison for ten days for non-payment of parking fines in the amount of $ 1, 200. Gardner returned to the empty dwelling. His son and girlfriend disappeared along with all his belongings (including business clothes, shoes and suits of a young man).
Intern work
Without connections, education, experience and clothing, Gardner was still able to get a broker position in the training program at Dean Witter Reynolds. He was paid a monthly scholarship in the amount of 1 thousand dollars, but it was not enough to exist.
Chris went out of his way to become the best trainee of the company. He came to the office earlier than anyone and stayed up late, phoning potential customers. The goal of the future millionaire was 200 calls per day (other employees were limited to only 20-30 contacts). Gardner's insistence was rewarded. In 1982, the young man passed the certification exam the first time and moved to a permanent job at Bear Sterns (San Francisco).
Vagrancy
Four months after leaving, Jackie returned and left her son Christopher. By this time, the future philanthropist was housed in a shelter. He took full custody of his son, but living in furnished rooms with children was prohibited. Therefore, Gardner had to wander with the child. This continued even when Chris began to make good money. He just wanted to leave for California as soon as possible and was saving money for a rented house.
Throughout the year, none of the broker's colleagues even suspected that Chris Gardner and his son (photo above) were wandering. They had to sleep in parks, shelters, the office of the company and even in the toilet at the metro station. Struggling for the existence and health of his son, the broker asked for shelter in a church for homeless women. Priest Cecil Williams did not refuse his request.
Own business
Soon, the hard work of Chris bore fruit - his financial situation improved. In 1987, the hero of this article founded his own company, Gardner Rich and Co. He showed everyone that he had mastered stock trading no worse than medicine at one time. Ten thousand dollars - this is exactly the amount Chris Gardner invested in his company. His fortune in 2006 after its sale amounted to several million dollars.
Secret of success
The hero of this article has charisma and oratory talent that are absent from many big business professionals. What is the secret of his success? The entrepreneur himself says that he found his favorite business. Chris Gardner (businessman’s books, for example, such as “The Pursuit of Happiness”, “Start with What Is, ” are now being sold all over the world) is always looking forward to the next business day. For those who want to change their lives and careers for the better, the entrepreneur advises to find a business for which a real passion will arise. Not the fact that this will be the main specialty or profession in the diploma. You need to be brave and just find a job to your liking.
