Millennials and Gen Zs aren’t anxious for nothing. A depressingly low 8% of U.S. men born into the bottom quintile of income will ever reach the top quintile in their lifetimes. As the economic pie continues to grow, the share of it going to those in the bottom half of Americans by net worth is essentially zero, according to leading economist, Thomas Piketty.
Upward mobility is a long-held American birthright, transmitted practically through the mother’s milk and by latent reputation around the world, yet increasingly, it’s mainly a myth, even in a booming economy with record-low unemployment.
As such, it’s definitely surprising to see the rare examples of rags-to-riches stories of entrepreneurs that end up toward the top of the top 20% of net worth, especially those in their mid-20s. This is yet more unusual for those who are not tech wunderkinds.
It is with this in mind that I saw down with Gallant Dill, a unicorn entrepreneur who improbably managed to overcome troubles with the law at 14 and fatherhood at 17 to run a $100K/month+ series of businesses by 26. Gallant kindly shared his journey and insights with me.
Q: What was the biggest challenge you overcame in your personal life that impacted how you see the world and how you serve others?
A: From being homeless and hopeless to having everything I have ever wanted. I get to see everything from both sides of the fence now, and it has made me 100 times more appreciative. I know how it feels to be at the bottom. Now, I can help people overcome those obstacles through my own life lessons since I conquered myself. If I can make it, anyone truly can. Hope and opportunity are abundant.
Q: What was the biggest challenge you’ve overcome in your career and what has it taught you about yourself and your team?
A: The biggest challenge was overcoming a business failure. When I had lost my energy pill company, I went back to being broke overnight.
I felt like my life was over and that I would never again be successful. I didn’t realize that everything that had happened would put me in a position of success later on. Now, I welcome failure because I learn more from failing than winning. I learned so much about myself when the company failed. I can use that experience to help lead others in business now.
Q: What is your life mission? How does your company’s mission align with your personal mission? Be specific.
A: My company, Gallant Dill Mentoring (
GallantDill.com and
GallantDillmentoring.com), is all about giving back and helping entrepreneurs. When I was just chasing money, I was broke and miserable. I realized that the key to success is to give and the money will follow. I am all about adding value and making a difference. Just this year alone, I gave over $4,000,000 in free trainings to small businesses over the world. We even help people who can’t afford us. I believe in getting people results first.
Q: How do you attract top talent and keep it around?
A: By being a great leader! A champion attracts champions. I lead by example and attract the right people. When you act like trash, you start smelling like it. I remain positive and give value every chance I get and have been blessed with such an incredible network.
Q: What’s your company’s “special sauce?”
A: Our results work incredibly fast. Most people teaching others how to start businesses have never actually owned a business. I provide methods that actually work and are always up to date. Everything I teach, I’m still using regularly myself. And so, when you work with us, you’re getting the best materials on the market with a money back guarantee.
Q: How are you different from your competitors? Be specific.
A:We have actual experience to pull from when teaching others. For the last 9 years, I have owned and operated numerous businesses. I failed and won too many times to count. All of my products are bundled and tailored to work for whoever buys them. In terms of customer service, All of my companies go above and beyond! We also have unlimited time money back guarantees.
Q: What specific values gained from your upbringing and life story inform the way you approach dealing with employees, clients, investors, and others involved in your business? How do these values reflect in how you empower others (the stakeholders mentioned, whom you help or support through your business)?
A: Over the years, I’ve learned that ethics are a major key in business. Having respect for every single customer you have is vital to having long term success. The greatest advice I can give is to keep your emotions and family away from your businesses. They never mix well. I take a lot of the stuff I learned on the street and my poor upbringing into reading people. I can smell a bad deal from a mile away from all the times I was taken advantage of. I would rather have 4 quarters than 100 pennies when it comes to my team or friends. Cherish and truly value your real friends and never let money get in between a friendship.
Q: What else do we need to know about your life story that informs who you are and how you do business? (Tell us about your or your parents’ immigrant story, big challenges, and setbacks overcome that made you stronger, more determined and ultimately, successful). Give us a human glimpse of who you are and your “why.”
A: I came from the bottom and the first time I got locked up was when I was 14. I never had much. By 15, it was the first time I dropped out of high-school, and by 17 I had a kid on the way. I went from sleeping in a park to a penthouse. If you can imagine the worst life possible, I lived it and came out ahead. I never let my dark past hold me back from a bright future. I had to educate myself and start over too many times to count, but it was all worth it in the end. If I can make it, truly anyone can.
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