The Pursuit of Happyness (Movie explained in 5 minutes)

Summary

In 1981, Chris Gardner, a struggling salesman in San Francisco, invested his life savings in a bone density scanner, leading to financial ruin. Desperate, he pursued a career in stockbroking, enrolling in a competitive internship at Dean Witter Reynolds. Despite numerous setbacks, including homelessness and imprisonment, Gardner's resilience paid off as he secured a position and later founded his own investment firm, embodying a classic rags-to-riches tale.

Takeaways

• 💼 Chris Gardner invested his life savings in a bone density scanner, which turned out to be a costly mistake.
• 🏥 He faced financial hardship as the medical community did not see the value in the scanners he was selling.
• 🚶‍♂️ Chris encountered a stockbroker who inspired him to pursue a career in finance.
• 📈 He enrolled in the competitive trainee program at Dean Witter Reynolds, knowing the odds were against him.
• 🔄 Chris impressed Jay Twissel, a manager at Dean Witter, by solving a Rubik's cube, which led to his internship.
• 💔 His wife, Linda, left him during his financial struggles, adding to his personal challenges.
• 📚 Despite being jailed for unpaid parking tickets, Chris managed to attend his internship interview the next day.
• 🏡 He and his son experienced homelessness, living in shelters and even a train station bathroom at one point.
• 💡 Chris had to sell his last functioning scanner to survive, and a malfunctioning one to pay for living expenses.
• 🏦 He passed the stockbroker license exam and was eventually offered a position as a stockbroker at Dean Witter.
• 💰 Chris Gardner's story is a true rags-to-riches tale, showing that resilience and determination can overcome adversity.

Q & A

What was Chris Gardner's initial investment in 1981?

Chris Gardner invested his entire life savings in osteonational bone density scanners.

Why did the investment in bone density scanners fail?

The investment failed because most doctors regarded the scanners as an unnecessary luxury and Chris couldn't sell any for quite a while.

What financial difficulties did Chris face as a result of his investment?

Chris faced severe monetary issues, falling behind on rent and unable to pay taxes, which burdened both him and his wife.

What inspired Chris to become a stockbroker?

Chris was inspired by a stockbroker he saw living the life he desperately wanted.

How competitive was the broker trainee program at Dean Witter Reynolds?

The program was very competitive, taking only 20 people every six months and offering only one job at the end.

How did Chris impress Jay Twissel, the lead manager of Dean Witter Reynolds?

Chris impressed Jay Twissel by solving a Rubik's cube, which earned him a spot as an intern stockbroker.

Why did Chris's wife, Linda, decide to leave him?

Linda had had enough and decided to leave Chris due to their financial struggles and the stress it was causing.

What was the condition of Chris's appearance when he attended his stockbroker interview?

Chris attended his interview in shabby clothes after being released from jail for unpaid parking tickets.

What challenges did Chris face during his unpaid six-month internship?

During his internship, Chris had to survive without wages, take care of his son, study for the stockbroker license exam, make sales calls, and sell his scanners.

How did Chris manage to survive financially while being homeless?

Chris survived by selling his scanners, donating plasma for money, and staying at homeless shelters.

What was the turning point for Chris in his career at Dean Witter?

The turning point was when he was told he had been an excellent trainee and was offered a position as an official stockbroker.

What did Chris Gardner achieve after his time at Dean Witter?

After beginning his career at Dean Witter, Chris Gardner founded the investment firm Gardner Rich in 1987 and later sold a minority stake in his brokerage firm in a multi-million dollar deal.