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Staff post about: Chris Gardner Become an Author

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Homeless But Not Hopeless: Millionaire Chris Gardner’s Early Years

Chris Gardner wears a $10,000 watch on each wrist. On the right hand is a Cartier set to Chicago time, and on the left is a Roger Dubuis set to South African time. “I was late once and it cost me $50,000,” explains Gardner. “I figure it was cheaper to wear two watches.” For a man who not too long ago had only two suits to his name and could not even afford to pay rent, Gardner has come a long way. From living on the streets and bathing in public restrooms to owning a successful multi-million dollar stock brokerage firm, Gardner is living out the American dream.

From Rags to Riches: Gardner Lives the American Dream

“A slow walk to Wall Street is how others describe my life,” says Gardner.

Lesson #1: Find Something That Gets You Excited

“You have to be committed, and you have to find something that you are passionate about,” says Gardiner. “And forget about money. I’ve learned that money is the least significant aspect of wealth.”

Lesson #2: Make A Commitment To Be The Very Best

“My first ambition in life was to be Miles Davis,” recalls Gardner. “I didn’t want to be a trumpet player, an artist or a jazz musician – I literally wanted to be Miles. My mom said to me, ‘Baby, you can’t be Miles. There ain’t but one, and he got that job.’ But I made a commitment at an early age that I wanted to be world class at something,”

Lesson #3: Everybody Deserves The Opportunity To Succeed

“I just wanted to make a million dollars,” says Gardner. “But I couldn't sing and I couldn't play ball, so I said to my mother, ‘How am I going to make a million dollars?’ And she said to me, ‘Son, if you believe you can do it, you will.’” He couldn’t sing, he couldn’t play ball; he was also homeless and he was black – Gardner definitely had the odds stacked against him. However, he took his mother’s lesson to heart and was determined to succeed regardless.

Lesson #4: Hold On – It’s Always A Bumpy Ride

When Gardner was once asked what advice he would give anyone who was thinking about starting up his or her own business, he replied, “Hunker down, strap in, and hold on. Hold on baby!”

Lesson #5: Don’t Forget Where You Came From

“As busy as I am wherever I am, I try to get out and walk the streets,” says Gardner, “to remember how far I’ve come and appreciate every baby step of the way.”

The Pursuit of Happiness: Gardner’s Climb to the Top

“One of the things young people always ask me about is what is the secret to success,” says Gardner. “The secret is there is no secret. It’s the basics. Blocking and tackling.” Gardner has gone from homeless to Hollywood, rising from the depths and despair of poverty to become not only a millionaire stockbroker and successful entrepreneur and author, but also the star of a major motion picture. How did he do it?

Chris Gardner Quotes

Chris Gardner Quotes

Chris Gardner Book

In May 2006, Chris Gardner would release a book that would not only top best-seller lists across the country and get turned into a major motion picture, but would also inspire passion and hope in a new generation of readers and movie-goers. “The Pursuit of Happyness,” the first book by millionaire stock broker and entrepreneur Chris Gardner, tells the story of his own life in his own words.

Chris Gardner Story

When you first hear the Chris Gardner story, you might think you were hearing the storyline of a Hollywood movie. In fact, the Chris Gardner story was so real that it was turned into a movie, the recently released “The Pursuit of Happyness” starring Will Smith and his real-life son Jaden Smith. But, before becoming the subject of a major motion picture, the Chris Gardner story was one of uncertainty and insecurity.

Chris Gardner Pursuit of Happiness

Even before “the pursuit of happiness” became one of the most famous phrases in the U.S. Declaration of Independence, mankind worldwide had been on a quest to chase down this elusive goal. In his 2006 autobiographical “The Pursuit of Happiness,” millionaire stock broker and entrepreneur Chris Gardner outlines his own humble attempt at achieving a fulfilling life. From his difficult childhood to his even more difficult adulthood, “The Pursuit of Happiness” is the story of how Chris Gardner made it against all odds.

Chris Gardner Stock Broker

He may not have landed the biggest clients or made the most money, but multi-millionaire stock broker Chris Gardner is possibly one of the most successful stock brokers in the world. From living on the street, bathing in public restrooms, and having to spend ten days in jail, Chris Gardner has crossed valleys and moved mountains on his way to creating his own successful and internationally-known stock brokerage firm.

Chris Gardner Bio

By now, most people are familiar with “The Pursuit of Happyness,” the Hollywood blockbuster starring Will Smith that brings the bio of millionaire entrepreneur Chris Gardner to the big screen. But, before there was all the glitz and glamour of a movie, the bio of Chris Gardner was a gritty story of struggle and determination in the fight for survival.

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