Handbook inc.’s Success Super Book : a definitive Consolidation of 25 Perspectives to Guide your Future Success

1. John Paul DeJoria Bounced Back from Homelessness
You’ve probably heard of Paul Mitchell hair products and Patrón 
tequila, but did you know these brands have a common origin? 
John Paul DeJoria co-founded both legendary companies, 
becoming a billionaire along the way. The path to success wasn’t 
always easy for him, though. DeJoria spent time on the streets 
twice. The first time he was homeless, he was only 22 and had a 
two-year-old son to care for. 
8 Wacky 
Entrepreneur Stories 
to Inspire Your Own 
Business Success
BY ADAM HEITZMAN@HIGHERVIS

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IN C . C O M
9 3
IN C .’ S S U C C E S S S U P E R B O O K : A D E F INI T I V E C O N S O L ID AT IO N O F 2 5 P E R S P EC T I V E S TO G UID E YO U R F U T U R E S U C C E S S
IN 2011, SCVNGR 
- A SOCIAL APP 
SIMILAR TO 
FOURSQUARE 
- WAS A $100 
MILLION 
COMPANY WITH 
A RATHER NON-
TRADITIONAL 
CEO. 
He persisted in his entrepreneurial vision, though, eventually co-
founding John Paul Mitchell Systems with $700 in startup cash. 
Today, DeJoria is a philanthropist who supports a number of 
social causes. Among other things, he helps to provide resources to 
people dealing with homelessness.
2. David Daneshgar Won Startup Money by Playing Poker
What’s the quickest way to come up with $30,000? If you’re a card 
shark like David Daneshgar, the answer might be to sign up for 
a poker tournament. Daneshgar and two friends wanted to start 
an online marketplace connecting florists with customers, but 
they didn’t have startup cash. So Daneshgar - who won the World 
Series of Poker in 2008 - spent $1000 to enter a poker tournament. 
The grand prize of $30,000 was, coincidentally, just the amount of 
money they needed. At the end of the tense final round, Daneshgar 
told his friends what they wanted to hear: “It’s flower time.” They 
launched their business, BloomNation, soon afterwards.