There is no secret as to why self-made millionaire and serial entrepreneur Marcus Lemonis continues to make his mark on the business world. He leaves not just an impression, but an imprint on everyone he meets, and Lemonis has that charisma, if you will, that few possess.
On CNBC's "The Profit," Lemonis lends his expertise to struggling businesses in various industries across the country while using his famous People/Process/Product principle. Through his "Three P mantra," he analyzes every business by the quality of people, whether they have an excellent and relevant product, and the best possible process for creating, delivering, and selling that product. Since "The Profit" first premiered in July of 2013, Lemonis has invested nearly $50 million of his own money in the companies featured on the series.
As a result of successful partnerships on CNBC's "The Profit," Lemonis has added a variety of new product lines and services to his holding company, Marcus Lemonis Enterprises LLC.
Lemonis was born in war-torn Beirut, Lebanon in 1973; and, at nine months old, was adopted by a Lebanese and Greek couple living in Miami, FL. As a young child, he was exposed to positive and prosperous business values at his family-owned Anthony Abraham Chevrolet. His entrepreneurial spirit bloomed at age 12, when he started a lawn mowing service in order to generate money to open a candy business. He graduated from Christopher Columbus High School in Miami and moved to Milwaukee, WI to attend Marquette University, where he studied, Political Science, Criminology and Economics.
Lemonis held several automotive sales and managerial roles, but it was a conversation with family friend and former Chrysler CEO, Lee Iacocca, who advised him to get into the camping and RV business, which put him on the path to eventual chairmanship at America's #1 source for RV's, camping accessories, RV maintenance and repair, Camping World and Good Sam.
Lemonis was recognized for having "more impact on the industry than any single individual or company in recent memory as an agent of change and retail consolidation," when RV Business Magazine named him their 2007 Newsmaker of the Year. In addition, Crain's Chicago Business featured him in their 2005 edition of "40 under 40"; and in 2008, Ernst & Young named him Entrepreneur of the Year. Prior to "The Profit," he appeared on NBC's "Celebrity Apprentice" in 2011 and 2012 and was featured on ABC television's "Secret Millionaire" in 2012.
His philanthropy started in college, where he served as the president of Marquette's Student Athletic Committee and planned a citywide clothing drive to help the homeless of Milwaukee. Over the years, he has also contributed time and money to various organizations including: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Esperanza Community Services and the Lollipop Theater Network.
Lemonis drives results through collaborations, partnerships and relationships. His advice for aspiring entrepreneurs is simple: know your numbers, trust the process, and remember that he's 100 percent in charge!
