Inspiration Behind ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ Featuring Will Smith, Founder of Gardner Rich & Co., & Bestselling Author of ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’

Chris Gardner is a world-renowned entrepreneur, philanthropist, and motivational speaker whose life inspired the Oscar-nominated film The Pursuit of Happyness, starring Will Smith. From experiencing homelessness while raising his young son to becoming a self-made millionaire on Wall Street, Chris’s journey embodies resilience, determination, and hope. After founding his successful brokerage firm, Gardner Rich & Co., he became a global voice for empowerment and personal transformation. His inspiring story continues to motivate audiences across the world, demonstrating that with perseverance, vision, and belief in oneself, it is possible to rise above adversity and achieve extraordinary success against all odds.

Chris’s professional and philanthropic achievements are grounded in his extraordinary journey from homelessness to success. In the early 1980s, while struggling to survive on the streets of San Francisco with his young son, Chris secured a place in a competitive stockbroker training program. His determination, talent, and relentless work ethic earned him a full-time role and set him on a remarkable path in finance. After thriving at firms such as Dean Witter Reynolds and Bear Stearns & Co., Chris took a bold step in 1987 by founding his own brokerage firm, Gardner Rich & Co., based in Chicago.

Building on his business accomplishments, Chris expanded his influence globally as CEO of Christopher Gardner International Holdings, with offices in New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. He has since become a respected advisor and philanthropist, serving on boards including the National Education Association Foundation and the Council on Foundations. Chris has been recognised with numerous honours, including the NAACP Image Award, the Prism Award, and the Father of the Year Award from the National Fatherhood Initiative. His journey from homelessness to leadership has made him a symbol of perseverance and purpose, inspiring initiatives worldwide that focus on education, empowerment, and breaking cycles of poverty.

Chris is the author of two bestselling books: ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ and ‘Start Where You Are: Life Lessons in Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be’. His autobiography became a global phenomenon and inspired the hit film of the same name starring Will Smith. Chris has been featured on major media platforms, including CNN, The Oprah Winfrey Show, TIME, and Forbes, sharing his story of resilience and success.

Why Hire Chris Gardner?

Booking Chris brings one of the world’s most powerful true stories of perseverance, determination, and triumph to your audience. From homelessness to founding his own multimillion-dollar brokerage firm, Chris’s journey demonstrates the transformative power of resilience and belief in oneself. As an internationally sought-after motivational speaker, he captivates audiences with his authenticity, humour, and life lessons drawn from overcoming extraordinary adversity.

Chris has delivered keynote addresses at global conferences, major universities, and Fortune 500 companies, inspiring leaders and individuals alike to redefine success and take ownership of their futures. His appearances across global media focus on breaking cycles of poverty, building purpose-driven lives, and creating happiness through persistence and compassion. Chris Gardner’s message is more than motivational; it is life-changing. His presence at your event guarantees a lasting impact, empowering every attendee to rise above challenges and pursue their own version of happiness.

To book Chris to speak at your event, call SpeakOut on +44 (0) 20 8914 8966. Alternatively, complete our contact form to begin your enquiry.