John Paul DeJoria
John Paul DeJoria | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 13, 1944 Echo Park, Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, businessman, philanthropist |
| Known for | Co-founder of Paul Mitchell hair care line and Patrón Spirits Company |
John Paul Jones DeJoria (born April 13, 1944) is an American billionaire entrepreneur, widely recognized as the co-founder of the Paul Mitchell hair care line and The Patrón Spirits Company. His life story is often cited as a quintessential example of the American Dream, having progressed from homelessness to significant business achievement.
Early life and education
DeJoria was born in Echo Park, Los Angeles, to parents who were immigrants—his father from Italy and his mother from Greece. Following their separation when he was two years old, financial hardships led him to spend part of his youth in a foster home located in East Los Angeles. At just nine years old, he began selling Christmas cards and newspapers to contribute to his family’s income. He completed his secondary education at John Marshall High School in Los Angeles.
Career
After serving two years in the United States Navy aboard the USS Hornet, DeJoria worked various jobs including janitorial services, door-to-door encyclopedia sales, and insurance sales.
His entry into the hair care sector began with a position at Redken Laboratories, although he was eventually dismissed. In 1980, alongside hairdresser Paul Mitchell, he launched John Paul Mitchell Systems with an initial loan of $700 while residing in a 20-year-old Rolls-Royce.
DeJoria expanded his entrepreneurial ventures by co-founding Patrón Spirits Company in 1989 and becoming a founding partner of the House of Blues nightclub chain. His portfolio spans numerous industries, including Madagascar Oil Ltd., Pyrat Rum, Smokey Mountain Bison Farm LLC, Ultimat Vodka, Solar Utility, Sun King Solar, Touchstone Natural Gas, Three Star Energy, Diamond Audio, ownership of a Harley-Davidson dealership, a diamond enterprise, mobile technology firm ROK AMERICAS, the John Paul Pet Company which specializes in pet grooming products, and J&D Acquisitions LLC—a company that manages brands such as Larson, Striper, Triumph, Marquis, and Carver boats in collaboration with investor Irwin L. Jacobs.
In 2008, DeJoria became a member of the advisory board for The Beauty Channel, a streaming network focused on beauty and fashion content.
Additionally, DeJoria has participated in the film industry both as an executive producer and actor. He made cameo appearances playing himself in the 2008 comedy You Don't Mess with the Zohan and took on the role of the fictional John Paul Mitchell in The Big Tease. His television appearances include a role in season 2 of Showtime's Weeds and narrating commercials for Patrón in 2011. On November 1, 2013, he appeared as a guest investor on ABC's Shark Tank, stepping in for Robert Herjavec. As of 2017, with an estimated net worth of US$3.1 billion, he is ranked as the third wealthiest "shark" on the program after Mark Cuban and Sir Richard Branson.
In 2018, DeJoria partnered with Jonathan Kendrick to establish ROKiT Group.[1] Since then, ROKiT Group has diversified its operations to include ROKiT Phones, ROKiT Telemedicine, and ROKiT Drinks.[2][3][4]
Patrón Tequila
The original Patrón Tequila was crafted by Casa 7 Leguas, one of Mexico’s most longstanding distilleries. In 1989, John Paul DeJoria and Martin Crowley obtained the brand rights through their company St. Maarten Spirits. Although DeJoria was not initially an expert in tequila, he recognized the superior quality of Casa 7's product and introduced Patrón to the ultra-premium US market. The brand was initially distributed on a limited basis to foster exclusivity and generate organic buzz. In 2018, DeJoria sold Patrón Tequila to Bacardi for $5.1 billion.
Patrón Tequila Express
DeJoria is the owner of the Patrón Tequila Express, a vintage private railroad car originally constructed in 1927 and previously operated by the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad as Car No. 50. Acquired in 1996, DeJoria invested $2 million in its refurbishment. This 85-foot railcar includes three staterooms with private bathrooms, a kitchen, dining area, observation lounge, and an outdoor platform. The operating expenses cover Amtrak mileage fees plus a monthly charge of $10,000 for personnel, upkeep, storage, and insurance.
Personal life
John Paul DeJoria has been married four times and has been with his current spouse, Eloise Broady DeJoria, since 1993. Together they have one son named John Anthony. Additionally, he has three children from previous relationships: John Paul II (Jr.), Alexis Jones, and Michaeline, as well as two stepchildren from Eloise’s earlier relationship.
The DeJorias have donated over $4,000 to Senator Ted Cruz and more than $5,000 to Texas Governor Rick Perry, alongside contributions to the Democratic National Committee and various Democratic candidates.
DeJoria actively supports numerous charitable initiatives such as Mobile Loaves & Fishes, Food4Africa, Mineseeker, and Blazer House. In 2008, he collaborated with Nelson Mandela’s campaign in sub-Saharan Africa to provide meals for over 17,000 orphaned children through Food4Africa; his company Paul Mitchell contributed over 400,000 meals that year. He also co-founded Grow Appalachia in 2009 to encourage nutritious eating habits and agricultural education.
The 2017 film Good Fortune documents DeJoria’s entrepreneurial achievements and philanthropic work, earning the Audience Award for Best Documentary at Sundance.
In 2012, DeJoria publicly backed Captain Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society during Watson’s detention in Germany. In recognition of this support, the Captain Paul Watson Foundation named their inaugural ship 'John Paul Dejoria II' in 2022.
After acquiring Taymouth Castle for £10 million in 2018, DeJoria was defrauded by his attorney Stephen Jones but successfully recovered $7 million via a Court of Appeal ruling; Jones was later sentenced to prison.
In 2019, DeJoria purchased the former McDonald’s global headquarters campus spanning 80 acres, which includes the Hamburger University training center and The Hyatt Lodge hotel.
In 2022, he committed £20,000 toward the conservation of HMS Unicorn, among the world’s oldest surviving vessels.
External links
- Interview at Handshakin.com
- ↑ "GROUP". ROKiT GROUP. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
- ↑ rokitphones.com https://rokitphones.com/us/. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
{{cite web}}: Missing or empty|title=(help) - ↑ "Virtual Medical Consultation | About | ROKiT Telemedicine". rokittelemedicine.com. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
- ↑ "ROKiT Drinks". rokitdrinks.com. Retrieved 2020-08-26.
- 1944 births
- 20th-century American businesspeople
- 21st-century American businesspeople
- American billionaires
- American cosmetics businesspeople
- American people of Greek descent
- American people of Italian descent
- Businesspeople from Los Angeles
- 21st-century American philanthropists
- Living people
- People from Echo Park, Los Angeles
- United States Navy sailors