Chris Gardner
Christopher Paul Gardner 1954 -
In the 2006 film Pursuit of Happyness, actor Will Smith brought this person to life on the big screen. But the real-life ‘rags to riches’ journey of Chris Gardner is heroic and inspirational. It started in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where Gardner was born to Thomas Turner and Bettye Jean Gardner.
Gardner’s upbringing was riddled with setbacks. Gardner and his siblings were abused by their stepfather while in elementary school. The family matriarch and Gardner’s biggest inspiration, Betty, was falsely imprisoned. Her imprisonment led the courts to place Gardner and his siblings in the foster care system. Gardner said of his mother, "I have one of those old-fashioned mothers who told me every single day, 'Son, you can do or be anything that you want to do or be.'
To say that Gardner was hard-working would be an understatement. Throughout high school, Gardner worked odd jobs. Influenced by his uncle, Gardner enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduating from high school. But the work ethic never wavered. To earn additional money while enlisted, Gardner worked as a painter and security guard on the weekends. Gardner served the country for four years before being honorably discharged. After completing his service, Gardner moved west to San Francisco and sold medical equipment.
Gardner’s former girlfriend returned and left the care and responsibility of their son with Gardner. This part of Gardner’s life was the most complex and best known, primarily because of the film. Gardner was forced to leave his apartment because they didn’t allow children. For the following year, Gardner often slept in shelters, public restrooms, subway stations, any place warm for him and his young son.
Reflecting on the inspiration of his mother, Gardner never lost hope. In fact, he was more inspired to earn wealth and leave a monetary legacy that would make his son proud. Gardner observed a man parking an impressive red Ferrari sports car. Unashamed, Gardner approached the man and inquired what he did for a living. The man driving the Ferrari was Bob Bridges, a successful stockbroker. Gardner’s interest was piqued, and he shared with Bridges a desire to join.
Gardner was able to meet Bridges once again. It was during this encounter that Gardner’s life dramatically changed. Bridges organized meetings between Gardner and managers at the firm. Bridges also helped Gardner enter the E.F. Hutton training program. Gardner finished the program as one of the top aspiring brokers. This compelled Bridges to help Gardner secure an interview for an unpaid internship with his firm.
Due to an accumulation of countless unpaid parking tickets (tickets he acquired while attending the training program), Gardner was arrested and jailed for ten days leading up to his interview. Upon release, Gardner did not have time to shower or change out of the clothes he was wearing at the time of arrest before arriving for his interview.
Gardner’s passion and skill were enough to land him the internship despite his physical appearance. Gardner’s drive to succeed did not cease. Entering the office before his colleagues and leaving after, Gardner was able to outpace the productivity of others in his office exponentially. This ambition landed Gardner a position with the New York-based global investment firm Bear Stearns.
Just five years later, Gardner’s success with Bear Stearns allowed him to found his own firm, Gardner Rich & Co., in Chicago, Illinois. Gardner sold a small stake in Gardner Rich & Co. for millions of dollars. From there, he became the CEO of Christopher Gardner International Holdings. Today, Christopher Gardner International Holdings has offices in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco.
Motivational speakers are everywhere. But when Christopher Paul Gardner speaks, you listen! Not many people understand the depth of personal and professional adversity Gardner endured but managed to overcome. Chris Gardner set the highest standard for excellence and perseverance. Chris Gardner truly believed that “everything is possible when you believe it.”
