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| John Paul DeJoria | |
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 John Paul DeJoria with wife Eloise in 2009. |
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| Born | John Paul Jones DeJoria April 13, 1944 Echo Park, Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Known for | John Paul Mitchell Systems |
| Spouse | Eloise Broady (June 13, 1993 – present)[1] |
| Children | 6 |
John Paul Jones DeJoria (born April 13, 1944) is an American billionaire businessman and philanthropist best known as a co-founder of the Paul Mitchell line of hair products. According to Forbes magazine, he is worth US$4 billion.[2]
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[edit] Early life and education
John Paul Jones DeJoria[3] was born the second son of an Italian immigrant father and Greek immigrant mother[4] on April 13, 1944[5] in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. His parents divorced by the time he was two years old, and at nine he began selling Christmas cards and newspapers with his older brother to support his family. When his single mother proved unable to support both children, they were sent to an East Los Angeles foster home.[6][7]
DeJoria spent much of his youth in a street gang in East Los Angeles, but changed when he was told that he would "never succeed at anything in life" by a math teacher at John Marshall High School. He graduated in 1962 and spent two years in the United States Navy,[6] after which he floated through a series of jobs ranging from janitor to insurance salesman.[8]
[edit] Hair products
DeJoria entered the world of hair care as an employee of Redken Laboratories. He was fired from this position, he claims over a disagreement on business strategies. In 1980, he formed John Paul Mitchell Systems with hairdresser Paul Mitchell and a loan for $700.[6] In 1989, Paul Mitchell died and was replaced by his son, Angus as company co-owner. As of 2011[update], John Paul Mitchell Systems had revenues of $900 million annually.[9]
[edit] Other businesses
DeJoria is involved in a number of other business ventures. The Patrón Spirits Company he co-founded in 1989 with business partner Martin Crowley sells more than 2 million cases of tequila annually.[9] He was a founding partner of the House of Blues nightclub chain, subsequently sold to Live Nation for $350 million in 2006, and has interests in Pyrat Rum, Ultimat Vodka, Solar Utility, Sun King Solar, Touchstone Natural Gas, Three Star Energy, Diamond Audio, a Harley Davidson dealership, a diamond company (DeJoria), mobile technology developer ROK AMERICAS and the John Paul Pet company, which does hair and personal grooming for animals.[10]
[edit] In media
DeJoria made a cameo appearance as his own former business partner, Paul Mitchell, in the 2008 comedy You Don't Mess with the Zohan, trying to convince Zohan to join his salon and also in The Big Tease as the fictional John Paul Mitchell, who acted as a judge in the Platinum Scissors competition in which Craig Ferguson's character, Crawford, was competing. DeJoria also made a cameo appearance in the hit Showtime series Weeds season 2. DeJoria both narrates and is seen in television commercials for Patron in November 2011.
[edit] References
- ^ Mesinger, Maxine (1993-06-15). "A wedding to remember". The Houston Chronicle.
- ^ "#65 John Paul DeJoria - The Forbes 400 Richest Americans 2009". 2009-09-30. http://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/54/rich-list-09_John-Paul-DeJoria_PYLZ.html. Retrieved 2009-12-11.
- ^ Palmeri, Christopher (1991-03-04). "Often Down but Never Out". Forbes (New York, New York) 147 (5): 138. ISSN 0015-6914. OCLC 6465733.
- ^ "National Italian American Foundation to Present Special Achievement Humanitarian Award to Chairman of Paul Mitchell at Gala in Washington, D.C., On Oct. 28, 2000". Business Wire. 2000-10-27.
- ^ Gilbert, Jeffrey (2003-04-14). "'Hairdressers and Harleys care' Bikers' benefit roars through Austin". Austin-American Statesman (Cox Enterprises): p. B1.
- ^ a b c Breyer, R. Michelle (1997-12-07). "HOMECOMING; John Paul DeJoria, chairman of the Paul Mitchell". Austin American-Statesman (Cox Enterprises): p. J1.
- ^ Krier, Beth Ann (1991-12-20). "You can go from absolute zero to millions, says hair-care mogul John Paul Jones De Joria. He's got the business and the toys to prove it. Top of the Line". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company): p. E1.
- ^ Wilson, Jeff (1999-06-29). "Battling Bogus Hair Products; Paul Mitchell's chairman fights to wipe". Austin American-Statesman (Cox Enterprises): p. D1.
- ^ a b Nelson, Brett (26 May 2011) "America’s Richest Living Veterans" Forbes; archived here by WebCite
- ^ Conflict-Free Diamonds, Diamond Engagement Rings, Diamond Rings & Diamond Jewellery From DeJoria - DeJoria
