John Paul DeJoria’s inspirational rags-to-riches success story exemplifies the American Dream. After high school and service with honors in the U.S. Navy, John Paul did whatever it took to make ends meet—from selling encyclopedias and working as a janitor to pumping gasoline. He was even homeless at one time. Eventually, John Paul took his talents to several hair care and cosmetic companies before becoming an independent consultant. That’s when he teamed up with his friend Paul Mitchell and $700 to launch John Paul Mitchell Systems.  The rest is (purely American) history.