John DeJoria is a name and many from us know him for his success in business, especially as the founder of Paul Mitchell hair-care products. But his life didn’t start with wealth and comfort. In fact, his early days were very tough. DeJoria began his career working many different and difficult jobs that didn’t pay much. He drove trucks, cleaned buildings as a janitor, and even went door-to-door selling Christmas cards. His first job in the haircare industry didn’t go well either; he got fired from Redken Laboratories.

In 1980, DeJoria met with a hairdresser named Paul Mitchell. Together, they decided to start John Paul Mitchell Systems with only a $700 loan. This small start grew into a huge success, making DeJoria worth $3.1 billion today.

DeJoria has strong beliefs about what it takes to succeed. He once said, “The biggest hurdle is rejection. Any business you start, be ready for it. The difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is the successful people do all the things the unsuccessful people don’t want to do. When 10 doors are slammed in your face, go to door number 11 enthusiastically, with a smile on your face.” His words are full of wisdom and encouragement.

DeJoria was born in Los Angeles to immigrant parents. Life was hard for his family. After his parents split up, he lived with his mother, who had a hard time supporting them. Sometimes, they didn’t have enough money, and DeJoria even lived in foster care for a while. These tough times made him stronger and more determined to succeed.

After finishing high school, DeJoria joined the U.S. Navy. The Navy taught him discipline and the value of hard work. When he returned to civilian life, he worked many different jobs to support himself. His first step into the haircare industry was at Redken Laboratories. He was very excited about the job, but getting fired was a big blow. However, this setback didn’t stop him; instead, it pushed him to do more.

In the late 1970s, DeJoria met Paul Mitchell, a famous hairdresser. They both dreamed of making high-quality hair-care products for professionals. With just $700, they started their business in a tiny apartment. The beginning was very tough. They faced many rejections and had money problems. But DeJoria never lost faith in their products.

Their first big success was a leave-in conditioner that hairstylists loved. This product was just the start. They continued to create new and better hair-care products, quickly becoming famous in the industry. John Paul Mitchell Systems grew fast and became a trusted name around the world.

DeJoria’s journey from being poor to becoming a billionaire shows his strong will and hard work. His life story teaches us the importance of not giving up, working hard, and staying positive even when things are hard. His advice to future business owners is clear and powerful: accept rejection, keep trying, and always greet new chances with a smile. These simple but deep ideas helped DeJoria succeed and can inspire anyone to follow their dreams.