Society
A homeless man borrowed $700 and made history – now he runs a multimillion-dollar cosmetics empire
A journey marked by hardship, resilience, and an unexpected partnership that would change the beauty industry forever.
![AI image of businessman holding dollars](https://img.asmedia.epimg.net/resizer/v2/NNMXIRSWOFAW5MI7S5FMM7STNM.png?auth=097c5b2dc4abd355515b9cf4417dee69d4ffed2d52b3c893979bfb9be8690747&width=360&height=203&smart=true)
John Paul DeJoria is an American entrepreneur who went from absolute poverty – even living on the streets – to building a cosmetics empire that generates millions in annual revenue.
At one point, he slept in parks or abandoned cars, working odd jobs for meager pay. Yet, during that time, he gained valuable experience in the hair care industry.
As reported by Cancan, after bouncing between various companies and being fired for different reasons, he decided to borrow $700 and launch his own business.
To do so, he teamed up with his friend Paul Mitchell - which is why their company, specializing in hair care cosmetics, was named John Paul Mitchell Systems.
Like most ventures, the beginning was anything but easy. They had neither a physical store nor a salon, so they started selling products door-to-door and later out of the trunk of an old car.
The death of Paul Mitchell
A devastating blow came with the passing of Paul Mitchell shortly after the company had begun operations. However, that tragedy did not deter DeJoria, who pressed on.
His focus was on ensuring the products stood out for their quality. The first items they launched were a single-application shampoo and a leave-in conditioner. After two tough financial years, the company achieved $1 million in gross revenue in its third year.
From that point on, the business only expanded. The breakthrough moment came when their products were introduced into a major chain of beauty salons, leading to a surge in sales.
John Paul Mitchell Systems quickly gained prestige for its high-quality products, and profits skyrocketed, cementing its place as a powerhouse in the beauty industry.
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