Show notes
John Paul DeJoria went from being homeless twice to building two global
billion-dollar brands, Paul Mitchell and Patrón Tequila, using nothing
but resilience, sales mastery, and a refusal to quit.
This interview breaks down how he launched Paul Mitchell with just $700
while living in his car, created the ultra-premium tequila category from
scratch, and built companies that now operate in 130 countries.
For any entrepreneur, ecommerce founder, or business builder searching
for lessons in persistence, sales, brand building, and navigating
adversity, this conversation is a masterclass in turning nothing into
something extraordinary.
What you’ll learn:
• How John Paul DeJoria survived homelessness and built Paul Mitchell
from a $700 investment
• How he mastered door-to-door sales and used it as the foundation for
building lasting companies
• His “reorder business” philosophy and how it drove global distribution
and long-term growth
• The exact strategy behind creating Patrón’s ultra-premium tequila
category
• How he convinced suppliers, salons, and distributors to take a chance
on an unknown brand
• Why kindness, culture, and loyalty became the backbone of his
leadership philosophy
• How he scaled without email or a computer and why thinking time is his
greatest advantage
• The mindset tools he uses for stress, pressure, rejection, and
forgiveness
• How he evaluates people, partners, and investments with clarity and
intuition
• His approach to philanthropy, legacy, and why success means nothing
unless it’s shared
By the end of this episode, you’ll understand how an entrepreneur with
no resources created two iconic global brands, built teams that stay for
decades, and turned rejection into momentum—giving you the mindset,
grit, and practical strategies to scale your own business with absolute
conviction.
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CONNECT WITH NATHAN CHAN
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CONNECT WITH JOHN PAUL DEJORIA
LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-paul-dejoria-35b2a460/
Patron → https://www.patrontequila.com/
JPSM → https://www.paulmitchell.com/
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