John Paul DeJoria is an American entrepreneur, philanthropist, and co-founder of the Paul Mitchell hair care company and Patrón Spirits. He is also a guest shark on the ABC reality television series Shark Tank.
DeJoria was born in Evanston, Illinois, on January 13, 1944. He was raised by his mother and stepfather, who were both immigrants from Greece.
DeJoria dropped out of high school at the age of 15 and joined the United States Navy. After serving in the Navy, he worked as a janitor and a door-to-door salesman.
In 1980, DeJoria co-founded the Paul Mitchell hair care company with Paul Mitchell. The company quickly became one of the leading hair care companies in the world.
In 1989, DeJoria co-founded Patrón Spirits, a tequila company. Patrón Spirits has become one of the most popular tequila brands in the world.
DeJoria is a philanthropist and has donated millions of dollars to charities. He is also the founder of the John Paul DeJoria Foundation, which provides scholarships and grants to young entrepreneurs.
DeJoria, joining ABC’s Shark Tank as a guest shark, brings his unique business experience. Entrepreneurs eagerly present their ventures, hoping to secure his backing. Throughout his appearances, DeJoria has infused capital into many budding enterprises.
DeJoria is a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs. He is a reminder that anyone can achieve their dreams if they are willing to work hard and never give up.
Here are some other notable achievements in John Paul DeJoria’s life and career:
- He was named one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People in the World” by Time magazine in 2016.
- He is the recipient of the Horatio Alger Award in 2017.
- He is the author of the book “The Hair Care Entrepreneur: How I Turned a $700 Investment into a Billion Dollar Business.”
John Paul DeJoria’s narrative embodies the entrepreneurial dream. His path to success offers valuable insights about the confluence of drive, creativity, and strategic decision-making.