Success story of Chris Gardner - Inspirational; COMPLETE NOVEL compiled in 10 slides

1. BORN ON: 9-Feb-1954 (61 yrs.)
ORGANIZATION FOUNDED: Gardner Rich & Co. (Stockbrokerage firm)
PROFESSION: American entrepreneur, investor, stockbroker,
motivational speaker, author, and philanthropist.
Inspirational story of an entrepreneur transforming from – “rags to riche

2. Business
investor
stockbroker
motivational speaker
author
philanthropist
Concept of his financial service firm Gardner Rich & Co was instead
of serving just capable firms, his aim was to go after untouched
market.
• African Americans (famous entertainers, athletes, Black companies, Black
executives and Black foundation.)
• Promoting minority ownership
• Prosperity
After 30 years, in 25 of which he ran his own brokerage firm, and
with nothing else to accomplish, he decided to exit the brokerage
business and focus on his speaking engagements and media
projects.

3. • Gardner started at the bottom.
•Without connections or a college degree, he
earned a spot in the Dean Witter Reynolds
training program. Started working from 1981.
• He spent 1983-1987 at Bear Stearns & Co.,
where he became a top earner
• In 1987, he founded the brokerage firm
Gardner Rich & Co in Chicago.
•Gardner sold his small stake in Gardner Rich in
a multi-million dollar deal in 2006, he became
CEO and founder of Christopher Gardner
International Holdings

4. •The time of company establishment
1987, America was going through
recession, equity among colored races,
homelessness and cold war. And Mr.
Gardner was surrounded by all the issues,
but his incredible work ethic, respect for
others and ability to stay grounded in
stressful situations helped his overcome
his circumstances.
• Gardner’s hard work , spirit to earn and
prosperity towards its nation motivated
him to start his new business.
• Had capital of $10,000 and a single
piece of furniture wooden table. (Funded
by – Mr.W.J Kennedy III, chairman of the
North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance
Company, largest minority owned
insurance company in the country.)
He believed that -
doesn’t ever be afraid
to hire people that are
smarter than you. Just
because they are
smarter than you,
doesn’t mean they
have to make more
money.

5. BUSINESS CONCEPT:
• Gardner was born in Milwaukee in a black family. He was raised
struggling racism.
• After 10th Gardner was in medical team of Navy .
• Moved to San Francisco where he worked as a medical research
associate and for a scientific supply distributor.
• In 1981 after his son was born he decided to change his career.
And went into stock brokerage.
•In 1987, Gardner established brokerage firm, Gardner Rich & Co,
in Chicago, Illinois, an "institutional brokerage firm specializing in
the execution of debt, equity and derivative products transactions
“
•Gardner sold his small stake in Gardner Rich in a multi-million
dollar deal in 2006, he became CEO and founder of Christopher
Gardner International Holdings, with offices in NewYork, Chicago
and San Francisco. Currently along with America he is reportedly
developing an investment venture with South Africa that will
create hundreds of jobs and introduce millions in foreign currency
into the nation.
•After 30 years, in 25 of which he ran his own brokerage firm, and
with nothing else to accomplish, he decided to exit the brokerage
business and focus on his speaking engagements and media
projects.
His belief –Who you are is
who you are, not what you
do

6. BUSINESS CONCEPT:
Gardner Rich & CoBUYERS SELLERS
•There is a set limit that every broker has to achieve. Above
it there is a commission on every dollar earn.This motivates
employees to generate more and more connections.
• Along with big players, company targets to minority
groups, labor market, educators and proponents of public
education, pension funds.
• Developed top clients ,e.g.. the National Education
Association.
• In year 2006 selling few shares of his company, he strike a
multi dollar deal.
•He has ventured into various areas along with finance, he
had written his biography Pursuit of Happyness. Millions of
copies sold with a motion Picture made.
• Along with finance currently he focuses on his speaking
engagements and media projects.
MOTO –
“Conscious
Capitalism”
X Calls = X Amount of cost = X Amount of growth

7. BUSINESS CONCEPT:
Success story from being nothing to being a motivated agent for human development

8. Not specified; but the firm grows as initially just looking Black American portfolio
management and minority business company stepped into various other areas.Till 2004
company started doing overseas projects.

9. STRENGTH
• Work ethics
• Hard working
• Stay grounded
• Risk taker
• Friendly
• Smart
WEAKNESS
• No background
• No education
•Homeless
OPPORTUNITY
• New business
• New Market
THREAT
• Already well
established firms.

10. By not letting his past hold him back and by sticking to his vision, Chris Gardner was able
to go from being a homeless man to being a multi-millionaire.To help one transform one’s
business, here are 3 Action Items that you can learn from Chris Gardner.
• Get Excited About Something
• Be the BestYou Can Be
• RememberYour Roots